Federal prosecutors have brought weapons-related charges against two individuals connected to a deadly January shooting at a Salt Lake City church that claimed two lives and left six others wounded.
Court documents made public on Friday reveal that 32-year-old Ryan Toutai faces charges for illegally transferring a firearm, while 26-year-old Fineeva Maka is accused of possessing a weapon as a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah’s District.
Federal investigators linked both men to a handgun found at the scene of the January 7th incident using evidence from mobile phone recordings, photographs, and GPS monitoring device data, prosecutors stated. Authorities believe both suspects have gang affiliations.
The deadly confrontation occurred in the rear parking area of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facility. According to investigators, the gunfire stemmed from a conflict among acquaintances who had gathered for a funeral service. All those killed and wounded were adults. Authorities have not yet filed murder charges in connection with the deaths.
The congregation primarily serves members of Tongan heritage, according to the church’s online information. LDS missionaries first brought their religious teachings to the Pacific island nation of Tonga during the 1890s. Utah now houses more than one-quarter of America’s Tongan community, with the state serving as the Mormon church’s headquarters.
Both Toutai and Maka have court appearances scheduled for Tuesday. Legal representation for the defendants could not be confirmed, and attempts to contact them directly were unsuccessful. The federal public defender’s office was also unavailable for comment.
Law enforcement had previously taken Toutai into custody on felony charges of obstructing justice related to this case. He remained incarcerated as of Saturday. A third individual also faces similar obstruction charges.
Irish golfer Shane Lowry delivered a spectacular performance Saturday, carding an 8-under-par 63 that propelled him into a tie for first place at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Lowry now shares the top position with Austin Smotherman, who entered Saturday as the tournament leader after two rounds. Smotherman had a chance to maintain his solo lead when he faced an eagle opportunity from less than 16 feet on his final hole, but the putt came up short and he settled for a birdie, finishing with a 69 for the day.
Both golfers head into Sunday’s championship round at PGA National’s Champion Course with matching scores of 13-under-par 200.
Trailing by just one shot are Taylor Moore, who posted a 67 Saturday, and Colombia’s Nico Echavarria, who turned in a 66.
Lowry’s outstanding round included six birdies through his first 10 holes, and he capped off his day with additional birdies on his final two holes.
The 31-year-old Smotherman is seeking his inaugural PGA Tour victory. His recent form has been inconsistent, as he failed to make the cut in three of his four tournaments earlier this season.
Echavarria played flawlessly Saturday, recording a clean round without any bogeys, positioning himself well for what would be his third PGA Tour championship.
Several other players remain within striking distance. Jimmy Stanger sits at 11-under after shooting a 65, while Ricky Castillo (64) and Canada’s A.J. Ewart (68) are positioned at 10-under. Joel Dahmen trails the leaders by four strokes following his 68.
Stanger’s Saturday round was much steadier than Friday’s roller-coaster performance. After recording a bogey on the second hole, he collected seven birdies over his remaining holes, a stark contrast to Friday’s wild round that featured two eagles and two double-bogeys.
Last year’s champion Joe Highsmith struggled significantly, shooting 76 and finding himself in 67th place at 5-over-par.
Tournament officials moved Saturday’s tee times up by several hours due to anticipated weather issues later in the afternoon. Players started from both the first and 10th tees to accommodate the schedule change.
Mexico’s top sports official announced Saturday that a major international diving competition will move forward after all, despite being cancelled earlier this week over safety concerns.
Rommel Pacheco, who leads Mexico’s National Sports Commission (CONADE) and is a former professional diver, declared that the World Diving Cup competition “is no longer cancelled and is entering a rescheduling phase,” though he did not provide a new date for the event.
Taking to Instagram, Pacheco expressed gratitude for collaboration with international organizers. “We acknowledge the support and coordination with World Aquatics,” he stated, while also recognizing Mexican sports and diplomatic officials. “We remain committed to supporting sport.”
The diving competition had been set to take place March 5-8 in Zapopan, located in Jalisco state. However, World Aquatics pulled the plug on Thursday after multiple international embassies issued travel warnings following violent unrest triggered by the capture and death of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, commonly called “El Mencho.”
World Aquatics has not yet confirmed the rescheduling announcement from Mexican officials.
The violence has sparked wider questions about Mexico’s capacity to safely host major international sporting competitions.
Despite these concerns, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated Tuesday that security measures would undergo review and assured there was “no risk” for fans planning to attend World Cup matches in Mexico this summer.
According to World Aquatics’ Thursday announcement, athletes seeking to qualify for the Diving World Cup Super Final in Beijing this May will now have their performance evaluated based solely on results from a competition in Montreal.
A devastating military aircraft accident in Bolivia has sparked community outrage after officials destroyed millions in banknotes that were scattered across the crash site.
The Bolivian Air Force cargo plane went down Friday night in El Alto, a densely populated city, claiming 22 lives and leaving 30 people wounded. Among the fatalities were four children, while the aircraft’s lead pilot remains hospitalized in critical condition, officials reported Saturday.
The military Hercules transport was carrying 18 tons of currency designated for replacing worn bills when it crashed. Thousands of residents quickly descended on the scene to gather the money littering the ground.
Vice Interior Minister Hernan Paredes described how approximately 3,000 people converged on the crash site “with a tremendously aggressive attitude wielding sticks and stones” to collect the scattered notes. Police deployed tear gas to control the crowds and took 49 individuals into custody on vandalism charges.
Officials subsequently incinerated all the recovered banknotes, stating the currency held no legal tender status and that possessing it violated the law.
The decision to destroy the money has fueled anger among local residents already struggling with poverty. “Look at all the money they burned, there are poor families that need that money,” local resident Marcelino Poma expressed his frustration. “We need to rise up in El Alto. They took our gasoline subsidy, they hurt our household budgets, now they’re taking all the money out of the country.”
Demonstrations continued into Saturday as small groups maintained their protests against the government’s actions.
The identification process for victims remains challenging, with police chief Mirko Sokol confirming that only nine bodies have been positively identified due to severe injuries sustained in the crash.
The tragedy could have been far worse, according to Paredes, who explained that the pilots managed a last-second maneuver to avoid striking 40 residential buildings just meters away from the crash site.
Family members of the deceased are demanding accountability. “We are in shock,” said Cesar Mamani, whose relative perished in the accident. “We truly detest the government’s and the armed forces’ lack of safety measures.”
President Rodrigo Paz characterized the incident as a “day of great sorrow for El Alto and the nation,” announcing that a full investigation is underway. Search teams continue looking for the aircraft’s flight data recorder.
El Alto ranks among Bolivia’s most impoverished yet rapidly expanding urban centers. The city emerged as workers migrated toward the capital of La Paz during the late 1900s, establishing communities above what is recognized as the world’s highest capital city, where residents now rely on cable cars for daily transportation.
A high-ranking Israeli official reported Saturday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in coordinated military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel, according to Reuters. The 86-year-old leader had transformed Iran into a major anti-American power and expanded its military reach throughout the Middle East during his decades-long rule.
Iranian authorities have not yet verified the reported death of their top leader.
Saturday’s joint American-Israeli military operation targeted Iran’s senior leadership, escalating Middle Eastern tensions as President Donald Trump declared the action would eliminate a security threat to America while providing Iranians an opportunity to overthrow their government.
The ayatollah assumed Iran’s highest position of power in 1989 after the death of the Islamic Republic’s founding leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In his role as supreme leader, he wielded complete authority over the nation’s political, military and religious systems, directing both domestic affairs and international relations.
Israeli officials had long viewed Khamenei as a destabilizing regional influence, pointing to his support of Iran’s network of militant partners, including Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon. During a 12-day aerial conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued assassination threats against the supreme leader, declaring he “cannot continue to exist.”
The June conflict featured Israel launching a surprise attack on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, eliminating senior military commanders and nuclear scientists while decimating much of the country’s military leadership. Khamenei’s reported death represents another devastating setback for a nation already struggling with warfare and economic difficulties.
Throughout his tenure, Khamenei maintained the conservative ideology established by his predecessor Khomeini, blocking elected presidents who pursued more liberal domestic and foreign policies. His administration repeatedly suppressed protest movements and marginalized reform-minded politicians advocating for improved Western relations.
Under Khamenei’s leadership, Iran emerged as a dominant regional opponent of American interests, spreading its influence across Middle Eastern nations. He supported the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated with international powers and pragmatic President Hassan Rouhani, temporarily reducing Iran’s diplomatic isolation. However, relations deteriorated after President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and restored economic sanctions.
Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, Iran witnessed the weakening of its regional partners. Both Hamas and Hezbollah sustained significant damage from Israeli operations, while Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had been supported by Tehran, lost power in December 2024.
Iran’s constitution established the Supreme Leader position following the 1979 revolution, granting a senior cleric ultimate power over both the president and parliament. The Assembly of Experts, consisting of 88 clerical members approved by a conservative oversight body aligned with Khamenei, officially chooses the supreme leader.
Motorists traveling on southbound Route 7 are experiencing delays this morning due to a broken down vehicle blocking part of the roadway.
According to DelDOT traffic officials, the disabled vehicle is positioned before Exit 164, causing a partial obstruction in one of the travel lanes.
Drivers heading south on Route 7 should expect slower traffic conditions and consider alternate routes if possible while crews work to clear the roadway.
DelDOT has not provided an estimated time for when the lane blockage will be resolved.
Senior Israeli security officials revealed Saturday evening their strong belief that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been successfully eliminated during coordinated military operations.
Speaking to Channel 12, a high-ranking Israeli official stated there is a “very likely” chance that Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Security agencies are currently waiting for official confirmation, though intelligence reports from operational areas are being characterized as “excellent.”
“We’d fall off our chairs if Khamenei suddenly appeared and made a live statement. The grounded assessment is that he is no longer with us,” the official stated.
A second Israeli security source commented, “Khamenei was surrounded by foolish people who didn’t understand they were playing with fire. That game is over.”
The strikes targeted Khamenei’s workplace and personal residence earlier Saturday, along with additional critical government installations, including the presidential headquarters. Social media reports and video footage indicate several structures sustained major damage or were completely destroyed.
The targeted complex sits within a heavily secured zone containing multiple regime institutions, such as the chief justice’s headquarters and primary offices of the Guardian Council, Assembly of Experts, and Supreme National Security Council Secretariat.
Intelligence reports suggested Khamenei had been relocated from the site days prior to the attack. Additional sources indicated his secure location was moved again just before Saturday’s anticipated strike.
These reports about the 86-year-old Iranian leader’s potential death come during the peak of joint US-Israeli military operations that commenced Saturday morning. Israeli political sources identify the mission as Operation Lion’s Roar, designed to completely disable the Revolutionary Guards’ and Iranian government’s command structure.
Military analysts believe Israeli and American warplanes delivered devastating strikes against Tehran’s security and political leadership while causing significant casualties among nuclear program personnel and intelligence operatives.
Iran International news outlet reports that casualties include Ali Shamkhani, an experienced Iranian security official who served as Defense Council secretary and ranked among Khamenei’s top advisers.
Iranian authorities are claiming that more than 40 schoolgirls have been killed in what they describe as an Israeli airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab, located in southeastern Iran. The Minab governor confirmed the students’ deaths, with Iranian media reporting the casualty count reached over 40 by 3:30 p.m. Tehran time, and approximately 50 others were wounded.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that the compound housing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office and personal residence has been struck by U.S. and Israeli aircraft. Social media accounts suggest some government buildings in the area have been “flattened.” The targeted zone reportedly contains multiple high-security government facilities, including the presidential office, judiciary headquarters, and offices of the Guardian Council, Assembly of Experts, and Supreme National Security Council Secretariat.
Sources indicate Khamenei had been relocated from his usual location several days prior to the strikes. Reports from Friday suggested his whereabouts had been changed in anticipation of possible Saturday morning attacks.
Iran’s state broadcasting network has shown video of strikes hitting civilian neighborhoods but has not verified circulating reports about potential deaths among senior officials or top Revolutionary Guard commanders.
The strikes have caused widespread internet outages across Iran, with many domestic news websites going offline. Only some state media and Revolutionary Guard-affiliated channels remain operational on Telegram.
In Tehran, the airstrikes have sparked fires at multiple power facilities, including the Sattar Khan station in western Tehran, causing electrical outages in parts of the capital. Video footage and reports show targets being hit throughout Iran’s eastern and western regions, described as military and weapons facilities. Social media has circulated video of an explosion at a Revolutionary Guard installation in Kamyaran in northwestern Iran.
Hours after the strikes commenced, government officials announced that banks, pharmacies, medical facilities, and government offices would remain operational. Iran has reportedly launched missile attacks against several Persian Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. A military spokesperson warned that Iran’s retaliation would be comprehensive, with Revolutionary Guard headquarters stating all U.S. regional bases and Israel would face retaliatory strikes.
As the conflict escalates, some Tehran residents have reportedly celebrated the strikes as an opportunity to oppose the government. Iranian Telegram channels continue reporting large explosions and sustained anti-aircraft fire in the capital.
State media placed Iran’s broadcasting network on high alert Saturday morning, reorganizing staff under wartime protocols. Managers received instructions to implement backup systems and ensure continuity for essential operations, including news departments, due to potential cyber warfare and computer system disruptions.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that American forces have initiated large-scale military action against Iran in what the Pentagon is calling ‘Operation Epic Fury.’ During a televised speech, Trump characterized the strikes as essential to neutralize what he described as urgent dangers to America, U.S. troops stationed abroad, and allied nations.
Trump made a direct appeal to Iranian people through his Truth Social platform, stating: “The hour of your freedom is at hand. … When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.” He also advised Iranian civilians to seek safety during the widespread bombing campaign.
During his televised remarks, Trump labeled Iran as “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror” and emphasized that stopping Tehran’s nuclear ambitions has remained a key priority for his administration. He noted that American attacks last year targeted Iranian nuclear installations and alleged that Iran is working to reconstruct its nuclear capabilities while developing long-range missiles that could endanger U.S. forces, allies, and potentially American soil.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by launching what it called Operation “True Promise 4,” describing it as retaliation for “American-Zionist aggression against Iranian territory.” The IRGC reported conducting missile and drone attacks against the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and American military installations in Qatar and the UAE, “in addition to military and security centers in the heart of Israel.”
According to Ynet, an Iranian missile struck a structure in Tirat Carmel, injuring one individual. In Umm al-Fahm, a man sustained minor injuries from shrapnel or interceptor debris. Significant debris was also found in Kafr Manda in the lower Galilee region, though no injuries were reported there.
Alert sirens sounded in both the UAE and Bahrain, with one fatality reported in Abu Dhabi.
The Israel Defense Forces distributed video evidence of attacks on Iranian missile launch sites in western Iran, reporting that hundreds of Iranian military installations in the region, including launch platforms, were successfully targeted.
A source with ties to the Iranian government informed Reuters that high-ranking IRGC commanders and political leaders were killed during the coordinated U.S.-Israel operation. An Israeli official indicated that the strikes aimed at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other top regime and military officials. The results of these targeted strikes remain unclear at this time.
Bahraini authorities confirmed Saturday afternoon that missiles struck a United States Navy 5th Fleet support installation in what officials described as an attack launched from beyond the kingdom’s borders.
The Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Communications Center released a statement characterizing the strikes against locations and installations inside the nation as a clear breach of Bahrain’s territorial integrity and national security.
According to the official announcement, security and defense agencies immediately activated pre-approved crisis response protocols and began deploying appropriate countermeasures in the field.
Bahraini leadership denounced what they termed “treacherous attacks,” characterizing the strikes as a direct menace to the nation’s stability and the well-being of both citizens and foreign residents. The government declared that Bahrain “affirmed its full right to respond and take all necessary measures to protect its national security and preserve its sovereignty, in coordination with its allies and partners.”
Witnesses reported hearing several explosions throughout Bahrain, particularly in proximity to the American military installation located in the Juffair district. Social media posts included footage and photographs that appeared to document detonations occurring within the base perimeter.
Military analysts noted defensive missile system activation in response to projectiles they identified as originating from Iranian territory.
Prior to the confirmed strikes, Bahraini officials had issued public safety warnings advising residents to stay away from major thoroughfares and shelter in place.
Israeli forces, backed by the United States, launched coordinated military strikes against Iranian targets in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting Israeli officials to declare a nationwide civilian emergency as they prepared for possible counter-attacks.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the military action was designed to eliminate threats against Israel and warned that Iran might respond with strikes targeting civilian areas. Katz utilized the Civil Defense Law to establish emergency protocols nationwide and authorized special emergency measures for the home front.
Reports from Iran indicated multiple strikes occurred in Tehran and surrounding areas, with witnesses observing smoke billowing over the capital city. Iranian state media confirmed explosions in several cities including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. According to Al Arabiya, the attacks focused on locations near Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities and Iranian intelligence operations in eastern Tehran.
Israeli military sources revealed the operation targeted Iran’s missile production capabilities, including underground facilities, as well as elements of Tehran’s air defense systems, with particular emphasis on short-range defensive equipment.
Warning sirens sounded throughout Israel immediately following the launch of strikes, while emergency alerts reached citizens’ mobile devices instructing them to remain near protective shelters. Military officials emphasized the warnings were precautionary and did not require people to stay inside protected areas.
Israeli Home Front Command instructed citizens to minimize unnecessary travel and locate their closest protective shelter.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced the closure of Israeli airspace to commercial aircraft due to the escalating situation. She advised travelers to avoid airports and stated that civilian flights would only resume when security conditions improved, requiring at least 24 hours advance notification.
A US military official confirmed to CNN that American forces were targeting military installations within Iran while Israeli forces simultaneously attacked sites connected to the Iranian regime. The source indicated the coordinated campaign was proceeding in multiple phases with ongoing strikes.
An Iranian government official speaking to Reuters indicated Tehran was preparing its response to the attacks, describing the planned retaliation as “crushing.” Israeli sources told Ynet that the military operation had been officially designated “Lion’s Roar,” replacing the previous codename “Shield of Judah.”
Israeli Defense Forces statements confirmed that both Israeli and US military units were striking Iranian government assets and military infrastructure across numerous locations. The Saberin News Agency, connected to pro-Iranian militia groups, reported explosions were detected in Tabriz in northwestern Iran, suggesting the strikes extended well beyond Tehran.
Intelligence reports from Tehran indicated the targeted facilities included installations belonging to Iran’s intelligence ministry, defense ministry, Atomic Energy Organization, and additional government offices. Security protocols throughout the city were enhanced following the attacks.
US officials speaking to The New York Times predicted the current military operation would surpass the scale of American strikes against Iranian nuclear sites conducted in June. A separate Reuters report cited an official source stating that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been relocated from Tehran to a secure location.
The military action occurs just days ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Earlier Saturday, Israeli forces also struck Hezbollah launch positions and underground installations in southern Lebanon, claiming these sites were being prepared for attacks against Israel. Military officials stated these operations aimed to reduce Hezbollah’s capacity to monitor Israeli air operations and relay intelligence to Iran.
Security analysts warned the situation could escalate into a wider regional conflict, with assessments indicating Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen would likely participate, while Hezbollah had not yet decided whether to join the fighting.
A leading medical publication has delivered devastating criticism of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s performance during his inaugural year as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The Lancet’s editorial board published a harsh assessment of Kennedy’s leadership, characterizing his time in office as catastrophic for public health. The journal’s editors expressed grave concerns about the long-term consequences of his policies and decisions.
According to the editorial, the “destruction that Kennedy has wrought in 1 in office might take generations to repair.”
The critique represents a significant rebuke from one of the world’s most respected medical journals toward the former presidential candidate who was appointed to lead the nation’s health agency.
Kennedy, who underwent Senate confirmation hearings in January 2025, has faced ongoing scrutiny from medical professionals and public health experts throughout his tenure.
MEXICO CITY — Cave-diving archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, uncovering ancient human remains deep within flooded underground caverns that were submerged when the last ice age ended 8,000 years ago.
Octavio del Río, working alongside Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, reports this marks the 11th ancient skeleton discovered in these underwater cave networks over the past thirty years in the region between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. These sinkhole caves, called “cenotes,” have yielded some of North America’s most ancient human remains, with certain specimens dating back approximately 13,000 years.
Speaking with The Associated Press recently, del Río described finding the skeleton in a submerged cavern located 26 feet beneath the surface, accessible only after navigating 656 feet through the underwater cave system. The archaeological team retrieved the remains in late 2025, and analysis is currently underway.
“Given the distance from the cave entrance and the depth, this individual could only have been placed there when the cave was completely dry, which means at least 8,000 years ago,” del Río explained. Today, accessing these chambers requires expert diving skills and specialized equipment.
The remains were discovered resting on sediment deposits within a narrow section of an inner chamber, leading del Río to conclude that “this suggests it was a funereal deposit where the body was placed intentionally, perhaps as part of a ritual practice.”
Despite three decades of similar discoveries, del Río says the excitement never fades. “You can shout even under water,” he said with a smile, describing how he begins visualizing the ancient cave environment and contemplating how this person came to rest there.
Luis Alberto Martos, who heads archaeological studies at the National Institute of Anthropology and History, believes this latest discovery will advance understanding of how ancient peoples reached Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. During that era, the region was a clifftop plain rather than today’s jungle and beach landscape, and researchers are learning more about how these early inhabitants utilized the cave systems.
Genetic evidence increasingly supports theories that some ancient peoples traveled from Asia via a land bridge where the Bering Strait exists today, though some evidence points to possible migration routes from South America. “The puzzle of Yucatan prehistory is becoming better understood,” Martos noted.
The extensive network of underground rivers and cave systems beneath the Caribbean coast suffered significant damage during recent construction of the Maya Train under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. The project required clearing large jungle areas and installing support pillars that penetrated the cave systems to accommodate the tourist railway.
Del Río, who vocally opposed that project, reports that Mexican officials are now pursuing designation of the entire area as a nationally protected zone. Mexico’s Environmental Ministry has confirmed to the AP that achieving this protection status is targeted for 2026.
Environmental scientists have spent years advocating for preservation of these fragile cave systems as development and contamination increasingly endanger the underwater waterways.
Beyond the area’s environmental significance, Martos argues the National Institute of Anthropology and History supports protection based on cultural heritage value. The caves serve as “archaeological windows,” revealing not only ancient remains but also more recent historical artifacts including small cannons and rifles from the 1800s.
Passionate cave divers continue discovering fossils throughout the flooded caverns, researchers report, though archaeologists have not yet begun systematic recovery of these specimens.
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders from both parties are pushing for an urgent vote on legislation that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct military operations against Iran without first securing approval from lawmakers, following weekend strikes they argue could be constitutionally questionable and risk escalating Middle East tensions.
Legislative chambers had previously prepared such measures before Saturday’s military action occurred. Now Congress is poised to engage in an uncommon war powers discussion next week that will essentially judge Trump’s choice to proceed with military action without formal legislative consent.
“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.”
House Representatives Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are pushing for lawmakers to formally record their position through a public vote on their bipartisan proposal. “Congress must convene on Monday to vote,” Khanna said, “to stop this.”
Massie criticized Trump’s campaign messaging, stating: “This is not ‘America First.’”
However, most GOP members, especially leadership, supported Trump’s action against Iran. Many pointed to the long-standing adversary’s nuclear development and missile programs as justification for military intervention.
“Well done, Mr. President,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I’m in awe of President Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare.”
The administration’s choice to initiate what appears to be an ongoing joint military campaign with Israel targeting regime change in Tehran is challenging constitutional separation of powers in significant ways. Two months prior, Trump authorized U.S. operations that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Though presidents possess commander-in-chief authority for certain strategic military operations independently, the Constitution grants Congress war-making powers. Before the Iraq War started in March 2003, Republican President George W. Bush spent months seeking congressional authorization. No such vote was pursued regarding Iran, and a previous Senate attempt to restrict Trump’s actions following last summer’s Iranian strike was unsuccessful.
Any congressional war powers discussion would largely carry symbolic weight. Even if legislation passed the closely divided Congress, Trump would probably veto it, and Congress lacks the two-thirds majority required to override such rejection. Congress has frequently been unable to prevent other U.S. military actions, including a Senate vote regarding Venezuela, but these votes create a public record.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s reaction reflected his party’s established position. Iran, he stated, is experiencing “the severe consequences of its evil actions.”
Johnson, R-La., said House and Senate leadership and intelligence committees received detailed briefings earlier this week that military action “may become necessary” to safeguard U.S. personnel and citizens in Iran. He said he received updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and will maintain “close contact” with Trump and the Defense Department “as this operation proceeds.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., praised Trump “for taking action to thwart these threats.”
Thune indicated he anticipated administration officials briefing all senators — suggesting lawmakers want additional answers about Trump’s future plans.
Numerous Democrats are labeling the operation unlawful, arguing the Constitution exclusively grants Congress authority to declare war. They contend the administration has not provided adequate justification or strategy for the military strikes and their consequences.
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, insisted Congress receive immediate briefings on the administration’s strategy.
“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.
NEW ORLEANS — Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf is facing his second arrest in New Orleans after being charged with an additional count of simple battery on Saturday, according to court documents.
The latest charge comes after LaBeouf’s February 17th arrest for allegedly attacking multiple individuals outside the Royal Street Inn & R Bar during the city’s Mardi Gras festivities. Authorities have not yet clarified whether Saturday’s new charge stems from the same February incident. Representatives for LaBeouf and New Orleans police did not respond to requests for comment.
During the February altercation, surveillance footage captured a shirtless LaBeouf pushing one victim to the ground and striking another person in the face, potentially dislocating the victim’s nose, police documents indicate.
Local performer Jeffrey Damnit, identified in police records as Jeffrey Klein, confirmed he was among those assaulted by the actor.
“He hit me, he connected a few times with punches, he pushed me a few times,” Damnit shared with The Associated Press.
According to Damnit, LaBeouf became increasingly violent, attempting to provoke fights while threatening to assault the entertainer and others present. Damnit also reported that earlier that evening, LaBeouf had shoved him from behind inside the establishment while shouting anti-gay slurs and making death threats.
Despite efforts by Damnit and other patrons to calm LaBeouf and convince him to leave the premises, the actor refused to depart and his behavior escalated, witnesses and police reports confirm.
Officers responded to the disturbance around 12:45 a.m. during the early hours of Fat Tuesday and took LaBeouf into custody.
The actor has yet to enter a plea in the case. On Thursday, he remained silent when speaking to media after a New Orleans judge mandated his return to substance abuse treatment. During that court appearance, LaBeouf’s legal counsel, Sarah Chervinsky, argued to the judge: “Frankly, being drunk on Mardi Gras is not a crime.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed strong support Saturday for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military action against Iran, characterizing the ongoing campaign as a ‘just war against evil.’
Joint strikes by the United States and Israel have targeted Iran’s senior leadership while demanding the government’s removal, prompting Iran to respond with multiple missile attacks against Israel and Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
‘We are going to stand united against this threat,’ Lapid stated during a Reuters interview in Tel Aviv, speaking shortly after exiting a bomb shelter when air raid sirens warned of an approaching Iranian assault.
According to Lapid, Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, nuclear development programs, and ideally the nation’s leadership should be ‘obliterated.’
Netanyahu and Israel’s broader political leadership have consistently maintained that Iran represents an existential danger to the Jewish state.
Despite serving briefly as prime minister in 2022 and maintaining fierce opposition to Netanyahu, Lapid announced he would temporarily suspend political disagreements with the current leader during this period of escalating tensions.
Lapid also expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for what he characterized as America’s leadership role in the Iranian operation, praising Trump’s display of courage.
The current conflict follows a surprise Israeli assault on Iran last June, which triggered a 12-day war between the regional powers that concluded when the United States joined Israel’s bombing campaign against Iran.
That previous confrontation resulted in over 30 Israeli deaths from Iranian missile strikes, including attacks on the densely populated Tel Aviv area, while Israeli military action killed more than 900 people in Iran.
When questioned about Israel’s ability to maintain a weeks-long or months-long conflict with Iran, Lapid emphasized that the country was ‘way stronger’ than commonly perceived, while expressing doubt about Iran’s capacity for sustained warfare.
Israel must conduct national elections by October, with current polling suggesting Netanyahu’s coalition government may struggle to maintain power despite his record as the nation’s longest-serving prime minister.
The opposition remains divided, though many factions aim to establish a government excluding Netanyahu. Surveys indicate Lapid’s Yesh Atid party could face seat losses in the upcoming election, though it may still play a crucial role in government formation.
Greg Abel, who recently took over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, issued his first annual shareholder letter Saturday, working to reassure investors that he will continue the successful strategies established by Warren Buffett while putting his own leadership mark on the massive conglomerate.
The 63-year-old executive committed to preserving Berkshire’s “fortress-like” financial foundation and promised he won’t hastily spend the company’s massive $373.3 billion cash reserves. Abel indicated this substantial war chest provides significant “dry powder” for future opportunities, while confirming he has no intention of starting dividend payments – a stance that aligns with Buffett’s long-held position. The company hasn’t bought back its own shares since spring 2024.
“I recognize how you want us to succeed together, and to do so in the right way,” Abel stated in his comprehensive 18-page letter. “My role is to ensure our liquidity levels and capital deployment remain intentional and deliberate.”
Abel expressed deep respect for his predecessor, describing the 95-year-old Buffett as “remarkable” and noting that the legendary investor continues serving as chairman while maintaining his daily presence at company headquarters five days weekly.
“Warren Buffett is arguably the greatest investor of all time, with generations benefiting from his investment acumen,” Abel emphasized. “To invest in Berkshire has long been a vote of trust in our founder – a trust that now rests with Berkshire.”
Since Buffett’s unexpected announcement in May about stepping down from the CEO role, Berkshire’s stock performance has lagged considerably behind the Standard & Poor’s 500 index.
While Abel’s writing style differs from Buffett’s distinctive approach, CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert believes the letter should comfort worried investors.
“He needed to show a degree of continuity, that the Berkshire franchise would continue despite the change in leadership, and it would be business as usual,” Seifert explained. “In my opinion, he hit the mark.”
The communication demonstrated Abel’s commitment to preserving Buffett’s six-decade transformation of Berkshire from a struggling textile manufacturer into a trillion-dollar empire encompassing car insurance giant Geico, BNSF railroad, and numerous other insurance, manufacturing, energy and retail operations.
“If there were any doubts about whether Greg was the right individual to take the reins, the letter should dispel them,” stated Dan Hanson, who manages over $6 billion as head of Neuberger Berman’s quality equity team.
The company also announced declining earnings, influenced by writedowns on its roughly 27% ownership positions in both Kraft Heinz and oil producer Occidental Petroleum.
Operating profits for the fourth quarter dropped 30% to $10.2 billion as insurance division earnings, including Geico, decreased significantly.
Overall net earnings declined 3% to $19.2 billion, impacted by a $4.5 billion Occidental writedown, though this was partially offset by gains from major holdings including Apple and American Express.
For the complete year 2025, operating earnings fell 6% to $44.49 billion, while net earnings decreased 25% to $66.97 billion. Buffett consistently advised shareholders to disregard net income variations, which reflect accounting requirements for equity investments.
Annual revenue remained essentially flat at $371.44 billion, and Seifert noted Abel “teed up an expectation that reinsurance and commercial insurance growth may be nonexistent” in 2026.
Fruit of the Loom, among Berkshire’s most recognizable subsidiaries, eliminated 6,000 positions last year amid falling sales, according to company reports.
Abel assured shareholders that Berkshire’s corporate culture and principles will persist “in perpetuity,” indicating no modifications to its decentralized management approach where individual businesses operate with minimal corporate oversight.
He also hinted at his long-term commitment, suggesting that even after 20 years in the role, he will have served “just a fraction of the tenure that Warren had.”
The new CEO pledged to focus investments on stable, well-run companies that Berkshire comprehends while working to “avoid businesses that undermine the fabric of society or could jeopardize Berkshire’s reputation.”
Though Abel didn’t specify what types of businesses he meant, Seifert suggested he might have been referencing artificial intelligence companies.
Abel addressed ongoing challenges facing PacifiCorp, the company’s utility subsidiary dealing with extensive litigation related to devastating Oregon and California wildfires that consumed over 500,000 acres in 2020.
Numerous wildfire victims have blamed PacifiCorp for failing to deactivate power lines during dangerous conditions. The utility has agreed to settlements exceeding $2.2 billion but still confronts an additional $50 billion in wildfire-related claims. Abel emphasized that while Berkshire accepts responsibility for fires it causes, the company will vigorously contest unfounded legal claims.
“PacifiCorp is not an insurer of last resort and should not be treated as a deep pocket,” Abel declared. “Accountability, paired with principled opposition to unwarranted liability, is essential to preserving the regulatory compact that governs utilities.”
Abel demonstrated more direct criticism than Buffett typically showed toward underperforming Berkshire subsidiaries.
He characterized the performance difference between BNSF railroad and industry leaders as “too wide,” while describing “self-inflicted” problems at Shaw flooring company that have damaged quality and customer service.
“Each business is accountable to its CEO, who is expected to pursue operational excellence relentlessly and close performance gaps,” Abel stated regarding Berkshire’s non-insurance operations.
Hanson from Neuberger Berman commented: “Those are fighting words.”
Berkshire has not appointed a chief investment officer to succeed Buffett in that capacity, though Abel confirmed that responsibility for stock investments “ultimately resides with me as CEO.”
Abel indicated that veteran portfolio manager Ted Weschler, who oversees approximately 6% of Berkshire’s stock portfolio, will continue in an expanded “broader role” evaluating major investment opportunities and providing additional support to the organization.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s recent military action against Iran has created divisions within his conservative base, with several high-profile MAGA supporters expressing concern about potential consequences for Republican candidates in this November’s midterm elections.
The criticism centers on Trump’s 2024 campaign pledge to prioritize economic issues and avoid military conflicts abroad. Recent polling data indicates voters are growing more frustrated with the president’s economic performance.
Right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec referenced warnings from late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in September. “Charlie Kirk told us all that the younger generation of Americans are far more interested in domestic policy than pursuing international conflicts and we can’t forget that in a midterm year,” Posobiec wrote on X.
Polling shows Trump’s support among young men, which grew during 2024, has begun to decline recently.
The Iranian strikes represent a significant political risk for Republicans working to maintain congressional control this fall. Reagan Box, among the candidates seeking to fill former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia seat, expressed support for Trump while opposing the Iranian military action.
Box described Iran’s government as “heinous” but told Reuters, “every time we’ve tried to do a regime change, especially in the Middle East, we just destabilize it.”
Greene, previously among Trump’s most devoted supporters before breaking with him over his domestic policy focus, wrote on X: “War with Iran does not lower inflation and make cost of living affordable.”
Surveys consistently identify rising living costs as Americans’ primary concern. Trump’s administration has focused heavily on international affairs during his first 13 months, causing worry among Republican congressional leadership about voter backlash in November.
The Hodgetwins, conservative podcasters with 3.5 million X followers who typically support Trump, criticized the strikes as contradicting his campaign promises. “Freeing the people of Iran is not why I voted for Trump,” their post stated.
However, other MAGA personalities endorsed the bombing campaign. Trump announced in a televised address that he seeks regime change and acknowledged potential American casualties in what he termed a war.
Trump ally Laura Loomer posted on X: “Iran has been attacking the US for over 47 years. And now, the 47th President of the United States is ending their reign of terror.”
Trump supporters generally praised January’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a quick, successful military operation.
University of Michigan political scientist Michael Traugott noted that criticism has emerged primarily from MAGA movement commentators rather than Republican officeholders. He said it remains unclear how supporters will react long-term.
Traugott warned that extended conflict with Iran might cause some core Trump supporters to withdraw their backing. “For the popular MAGA base, this is pretty much a direct violation of a major campaign promise to stay out of foreign engagements.”
The Republican National Committee issued a statement supporting the Iranian operation, while congressional responses followed typical party divisions, with Republicans defending the attack as necessary.
Mike Davis, who leads the Article III Project supporting Trump, defended the strikes Saturday, citing a recent video where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei allegedly threatened to destroy American warships.
“That video right there is all the justification that the president needs to flatten the supreme leader’s home and take him out,” Davis said on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, which attracts significant MAGA audience.
The MLS Cup champion Inter Miami squad has been invited to the White House for a ceremonial visit this Thursday, according to multiple news outlets.
The Miami Herald has confirmed that the entire Herons roster, featuring global soccer icon Lionel Messi, will participate in the White House ceremony alongside President Donald Trump. The timing works perfectly for the team, as they’re scheduled to take on D.C. United in Washington just two days later on Saturday.
Inter Miami made franchise history by claiming their inaugural MLS Cup title with a decisive 3-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps on December 6 at their home venue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This won’t be the first White House visit for Herons co-owner David Beckham, who previously celebrated at the presidential residence in 2012 when his Los Angeles Galaxy team was honored for their 2011 championship season.
According to a Saturday report from The Athletic, the New York Giants are preparing to release inside linebacker Bobby Okereke as part of a financial restructuring effort.
The decision to part ways with the veteran defender, who will celebrate his 30th birthday this July, would create $9 million in salary cap relief for the Giants heading into the 2026 season.
During his three-year tenure with New York, Okereke has been the team’s top tackler in two seasons, recording 143 tackles in the 2025 campaign and 149 tackles back in 2023.
In his most recent season, Okereke contributed one sack, two interceptions, and recovered one fumble while starting all 17 games for the Giants in 2025.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, the linebacker has accumulated 805 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles across 110 games with 95 starts. His professional journey began when Indianapolis selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft, where he played four seasons with the Colts before joining New York.
Delaware State Police are looking into a deadly motorcycle accident that happened Friday afternoon on DuPont Highway in Wilmington.
The crash took place around 3:30 p.m. on February 27, 2026, when a motorcyclist riding a Harley-Davidson northbound on US Route 13 struck a Lexus UX that was waiting in the left turn lane at Millside Drive. The Lexus had been stopped behind a Mitsubishi Mirage when the collision occurred. Police have not yet determined what caused the motorcycle to hit the vehicle.
The impact threw the rider from his bike and caused the Lexus to slam into the Mitsubishi ahead of it.
Emergency crews rushed the motorcyclist, a 29-year-old New Castle resident, to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Authorities are holding his identity until relatives can be contacted.
Traffic was shut down on that stretch of highway for about three hours while investigators examined the scene.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to piece together what happened. Master Corporal R. Kunicki is asking anyone who saw the crash or has relevant information to call (302) 365-8417. Tips can also be shared through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Families affected by crimes or sudden deaths can get help around the clock from the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center by calling 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or emailing [email protected].
NEWARK, Del. – A late-night traffic stop on Route 40 resulted in serious charges for a motorist who was clocked driving recklessly at excessive speeds Thursday evening.
Members of the Active Crime Trends Team were patrolling the Pulaski Highway area around 10:45 p.m. on February 26th when they witnessed a green Dodge Challenger speeding dramatically while burning rubber and committing numerous traffic infractions. Officers reported the vehicle was clocked traveling more than 100 miles per hour.
The high-speed chase and subsequent arrest led to charges including driving under the influence and illegal firearm possession. The incident occurred in the heavily traveled Route 40 corridor, where police have increased patrols as part of ongoing crime prevention efforts.
Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect pending formal charges. The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about dangerous driving behaviors on major roadways in New Castle County.
MILAN – Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto became stranded in Dubai over the weekend after military operations targeting Iran forced airlines to cancel flights throughout the region, according to sources within the defense ministry.
Crosetto had departed Rome Friday night on a commercial airline to reunite with his family members, who were already vacationing in the United Arab Emirates. The defense minister had planned to fly back to Italy Saturday evening.
However, those travel plans were disrupted when U.S. and Israeli forces conducted attacks on Iran, prompting major carriers to halt service to the region. Italy’s national airline, ITA Airways, announced it would suspend all flights to and from Dubai through Sunday as a safety precaution.
The flight suspensions left the defense minister temporarily unable to return to his duties in Rome while he remained with his family in Dubai.
A former major league baseball player will spend the rest of his life behind bars after receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole Friday for killing his father-in-law in a 2021 shooting incident.
Dan Serafini, 52, was handed the sentence in an Auburn, California courtroom following his July conviction on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The crimes occurred during what prosecutors described as a burglary at his in-laws’ North Lake Tahoe residence.
The attack claimed the life of 70-year-old Gary Spohr, who died from a gunshot wound. Spohr’s wife, 68-year-old Wendy Wood, initially survived her injuries but tragically took her own life the following year.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Placer County prosecutor Morgan Gire spoke about the victims, calling Spohr and Wood devoted grandparents.
“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.
Before receiving his sentence, Serafini spoke to the court and continued to deny his guilt in the shootings. According to MyNews4, he claimed he was celebrating with his wife, Erin Spohr, when the incident took place and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini’s professional baseball career spanned more than a decade after the Minnesota Twins drafted him 26th overall in 1992. The Bay Area native made his major league debut in 1996 and played until 2007, suiting up for six different organizations including the Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Throughout his 11-year career, Serafini appeared in 104 games with 33 as a starting pitcher. He compiled a 15-16 win-loss record with a 6.04 earned run average and recorded one save while striking out 127 batters across 263 2/3 innings pitched.
Military strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran on Saturday have triggered widespread condemnation from world leaders who are demanding an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East.
The confrontation began when U.S. and Israeli forces conducted coordinated strikes against Iran. Iranian officials responded by firing missiles toward Israel while denouncing the attacks as both unprovoked and in violation of international law.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a strong rebuke of the military escalation. “I condemn today’s 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, undermine international peace and security,” Guterres stated.
He continued his call for restraint, saying: “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 UN chief emphasized that “there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.”
European leaders from Germany, France, and Britain issued a unified response criticizing Iran’s military actions. The three nations stated that Iran must stop conducting indiscriminate military operations.
“We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in their collaborative statement, while expressing their desire for renewed diplomatic talks.
Macron separately demanded an emergency UN Security Council session, warning that military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran creates “serious consequences” for global peace and security.
“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 destabilise the region,” Macron posted on social media platform X.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed deep concern about civilian casualties from the military operations.
“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,” Turk stated.
He warned that “Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery.”
Turk appealed for reason, saying: “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.”
He cautioned that continued fighting “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 offered backing for U.S. actions, stating that Canada supports America “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 took a different approach, posting on X: “We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law.”
Spain’s Foreign Minister Albares reinforced Madrid’s position by demanding adherence to international law, reduced tensions and diplomatic dialogue, while expressing “support and solidarity with those who are receiving the strikes.”
“The attacks must stop,” the Spanish foreign minister added.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi revealed that active diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States mediated by his nation were “yet again undermined” by the military strikes.
“Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this… I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war,” he posted on X.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared: “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 questioned the legal justification for the strikes, stating: “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.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry blamed Iranian leadership for the current crisis, saying: “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.”
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president, offered a cynical assessment of diplomatic efforts.
“The peacemaker once again showed his face,” Medvedev commented. “All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation. No one doubted it. No one really wanted to negotiate anything.”
He concluded with a historical comparison: “The question is who has more patience to wait for the inglorious end of their enemy. The USA is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Let’s see in 100 years…”
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Residents across central Israel spent Saturday moving repeatedly between bomb shelters as Iran launched continuous rocket attacks following a major joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Numerous residential buildings in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods lack proper protective facilities. In the mixed Arab-Jewish community of Jaffa within Tel Aviv, over 100 residents sought refuge in a public underground shelter beneath a local park. The diverse group included Muslim families with small children, Jewish seminary students, and more than a dozen pets.
Various groups spread out on personal mattresses and engaged in card games, while others distributed food among themselves. Observant Muslims continued their Ramadan fasting despite the circumstances. Most shelter occupants monitored their mobile devices for news updates as warning sirens repeatedly echoed through the area. When evening arrived, Muslims were compelled to conduct their iftar meal — the traditional sunset meal ending the daily fast — within the bomb shelter.
“Of course we expected it, even though we didn’t want it to happen,” said Idit Cohen, who lives near the park. She noted, however, that it was one of the times when you could see the community come together.
Cohen’s son was called up for emergency reserve military service, and an unknown person in the shelter offered transportation to his military base, despite being an observant Jew who typically avoids driving during Saturday, the Jewish sabbath.
“I want it to end as soon as possible, it’s a nightmare, people are more and more frustrated and tired,” Cohen said. “We see families with babies and young kids here, but there are elderly people that aren’t able to keep running here all day.”
Over the previous two and a half years, Israeli citizens have grown accustomed to this emergency protocol through conflicts involving Hamas forces in Gaza, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Houthi fighters in Yemen, and a 12-day confrontation with Iran last June.
Igor Libenson, a construction worker and father of two sons, said his family was mostly tired from the constant moving back and forth. “The kids aren’t scared, we were here also in June in the same situation,” said Libenson, whose sons are 4 and 7 years old.
Some of the religious Jews sang psalms with their arms slung around each others’ shoulders.
“We look at this in the long term. We suffer today but we do hope that it will resolve the problems of tomorrow,” said Maya Tutian, a resident of Tel Aviv, who was in a public shelter in the northern part of the city. “The Iranian regime is not just a threat of us, people who live here in Tel Aviv, but for the entire world.”
During the previous year’s conflict with Iran, some residents lacking home shelter access slept in Tel Aviv’s subway stations and underground shopping center parking areas.
Although current Israeli construction codes mandate reinforced safe rooms designed to protect against rocket attacks, Iran deploys significantly more powerful ballistic weapons. Shelter availability remains critically insufficient in lower-income neighborhoods and communities, particularly affecting Arab populations and countryside regions.
According to the Negev Coexistence Forum, a regional advocacy organization, more than two-thirds of Israel’s Bedouin population lacks shelter access. During the previous summer, numerous Bedouin families constructed improvised protective spaces using whatever materials they could find: buried metal containers, buried vehicles, and repurposed building materials.
Iran initiated its missile campaign shortly after the combined Israeli-American military operation began early Saturday. By evening, Israeli military officials reported that dozens of projectiles had been fired toward Israel.
Israeli law enforcement and emergency response teams reported several individuals sustained minor injuries from missile impacts, while military defense systems successfully intercepted numerous incoming projectiles.
Israeli authorities issued nationwide emergency alerts and elevated the country to maximum readiness status, suspending educational activities and most public events throughout the nation.
JUBA, South Sudan — Political tensions are escalating in South Sudan as authorities continue arresting former government officials in what experts describe as evidence of growing instability within President Salva Kiir’s administration, which is simultaneously battling an armed insurgency.
The most recent detention occurred Friday when former Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol was apprehended as he tried to enter Uganda. His arrest follows the detention of Marial Dongrin Ater, another ex-finance and planning minister who was dismissed from his position in August.
Over the past seven days, authorities have also taken into custody a former head of the central bank, a former deputy secretary in the petroleum ministry, and a general from the domestic intelligence service who had previously worked in the same department.
The specific charges behind these detentions have not been made public.
Speaking to Eye Radio, government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny characterized the arrests as “not political” and described them as a “direct response to irregularities identified within the monetary system.” He indicated that an investigative committee is examining “financial malpractices.”
Civic leader Edmund Yakani described the atmosphere in Juba as anxious, with politicians worried about potential arrest. “So far, these arrests have mostly targeted financial institutions, but if the arrests carry into the security sectors it will be very dangerous,” he stated Saturday.
According to Daniel Akech from the International Crisis Group, these detentions indicate a shrinking of the president’s “big tent” coalition strategy, which Kiir has used for years to control the country’s fragmented political environment.
South Sudan’s oil-reliant economy is suffering severe damage from the conflict in Sudan, as the nation’s entire petroleum output travels through Sudanese pipeline infrastructure.
Pipeline damage from the Sudan conflict, which started in 2023, has periodically shut down more than 60% of oil production. World Bank projections show South Sudan’s economy contracted by 24% in 2025.
The International Crisis Group cautioned in 2024 that oil production disruptions could trigger widespread political violence as Kiir loses the petroleum revenues needed “to keep South Sudan’s rivalrous generals and warlords on his side.”
The government is already confronting an armed opposition movement. Opposition leader Riek Machar remains confined to his residence and is facing trial on subversion allegations, which he refutes. Many of his supporters have been detained or removed from government positions. Kiir removed Machar from his deputy role in September following the criminal accusations.
Violence has surged dramatically since Machar’s dismissal. United Nations data indicates thousands died in 2025, with 280,000 people forced from their homes since December.
A United Nations investigation concluded that South Sudan’s leadership is “systematically dismantling” the 2018 peace accord, which was designed to end civil warfare and restore Machar to a power-sharing arrangement with Kiir. The United States is pushing for renewed peace negotiations.
Energy markets are preparing for potential turbulence in the coming week as recent U.S. and Israeli military operations create uncertainty around Middle Eastern oil production and distribution.
Market analysts had previously outlined two potential outcomes before the latest escalation with Iran: a brief price increase that would settle down if shipping lanes and critical infrastructure like Iranian pipelines and the Kharg island facility remained operational. Conversely, more significant and sustained price increases would occur if oil facilities or supply chains faced interruption, particularly if tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz encountered problems.
Energy markets have already responded to conflict concerns, with Brent crude reaching $72.87 on Friday, marking the highest level in seven months.
Iran currently ships approximately 1.6 million barrels daily, with the majority heading to China through private refineries that show less concern about U.S. sanctions restricting Iranian oil sales to other markets. Should this supply face disruption, Chinese buyers would need to source oil from alternative global suppliers, which could push prices higher.
The Strait of Hormuz presents another critical factor, as this waterway handles 20% of daily global oil movement. Major Middle Eastern producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates route most of their shipments through this passage. However, energy experts suggest Iran lacks motivation to block the strait since doing so would eliminate its own export capabilities and damage relations with China, its primary customer.
Rystad Energy projected in pre-conflict analysis that targeted strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and Revolutionary Guard that stop short of regime change or full-scale warfare could trigger $5-$10 price increases driven purely by market anxiety.
A broader conflict that includes Iranian interference with tanker operations could push crude beyond $90 per barrel and drive U.S. gasoline costs “well above” $3 per gallon, according to pre-conflict projections from Clayton Seigle at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. AAA data shows U.S. gas prices averaged $2.98 per gallon during the previous week.
Major energy companies and shipping operators have halted petroleum and natural gas deliveries through the Strait of Hormuz following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to industry sources who spoke Saturday.
Iran’s government has declared the strategic waterway off-limits to maritime traffic in response to the attacks, prompting widespread shipping disruptions in the region.
“Our ships will stay put for several days,” one top executive at a major trading desk said. Satellite tracking data reveals numerous vessels accumulating near major ports like Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, with ships avoiding passage through the Hormuz corridor.
Ships operating in the region have been receiving radio communications from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stating that “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz,” according to an official with the European Union naval mission Aspides.
British naval authorities countered that Iran’s navigation ban lacks legal authority and recommended that commercial vessels proceed through the area with heightened caution.
The international tanker organization INTERTANKO reported that the US Navy has issued warnings against shipping operations throughout the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, and Strait of Hormuz regions, stating it cannot ensure vessel security.
Greek maritime officials issued guidance Saturday recommending that ships avoid the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz areas, according to an advisory document.
Approximately 20% of worldwide petroleum from major producers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran travels through the Hormuz passage, along with substantial quantities of liquefied natural gas from Qatar.
Maritime analyst Laura Page from Kpler consultancy noted that fourteen LNG carriers have demonstrated signs of decelerating, changing course or stopping near the Strait, with numbers expected to increase and potentially impacting Qatari natural gas exports.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has launched his most dangerous foreign policy venture yet with massive military strikes against Iran, a decision that could define his presidency while risking a wider Middle East war.
The president coordinated with Israel on Saturday to begin what the Pentagon calls “Operation Epic Fury,” offering minimal justification to Americans for what may become the largest U.S. military engagement since conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This marks a dramatic shift for Trump, who previously favored quick, targeted missions like last month’s rapid operation in Venezuela. Military experts now warn of a potentially lengthy conflict that could spiral into regional warfare across the oil-rich Middle East.
The president has established an ambitious goal of toppling Iran’s government in Tehran, believing aerial bombardments can spark civilian uprisings against the current leadership.
However, military history shows air power alone has never successfully achieved regime change without ground troops – an outcome most defense analysts believe unlikely to succeed now.
“Most Americans will wake up Saturday morning and wonder why we are at war with Iran, what is the goal, and why U.S. bases in the Middle East are under attack,” stated Daniel Shapiro, former Pentagon official and ex-U.S. ambassador to Israel, currently with the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington.
Trump’s Iran obsession represents the clearest demonstration of how international affairs and military action have dominated his second-term priorities during the past 13 months, frequently overshadowing domestic concerns like living costs that polling indicates matter more to most Americans.
His advisors have privately pressed him for weeks to concentrate on voters’ financial concerns, recognizing the political risks before November’s midterm elections where Republicans could lose control of one or both congressional chambers.
Trump’s early-morning announcement on Truth Social explaining the Pentagon’s “Operation Epic Fury” offered only vague justifications for attacking a nation the U.S. has confronted for decades while avoiding full-scale war.
The president claimed he would eliminate Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities – which defense experts say pose no direct U.S. threat – while providing Iranians opportunity to overthrow their government.
Trump declared American forces would destroy much of Iran’s military infrastructure and prevent nuclear weapons development. Iran maintains its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes only.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ABANDONED
Trump’s sudden military action, utilizing massive U.S. forces assembled regionally in recent weeks, appears to eliminate immediate diplomatic possibilities with Iran. Thursday’s nuclear negotiations in Geneva failed to produce any progress.
Some administration officials previously suggested bombing campaigns might force Tehran back to negotiations for major concessions. Instead, Iran retaliated Saturday by firing missiles at U.S. ally Israel and Gulf Arab oil producers.
Trump’s video emphasis on urgent threats from Iran’s ballistic and nuclear programs resembles arguments President George W. Bush made for Iraq’s 2003 invasion, later proven based on incorrect intelligence and false information.
The president’s Tuesday State of the Union claim that Iran will soon possess missiles capable of reaching America lacks support from U.S. intelligence reports, according to sources familiar with assessments. Experts also dispute his administration’s recent assertions about Tehran’s ability to rapidly advance nuclear capabilities.
Saturday’s strikes removed any uncertainty that Trump seeks regime change in Tehran, following his January threats to attack Iran supporting street protesters facing violent suppression.
Analysts doubt Trump’s strategy can topple Iran’s established clerical government, which has survived crushing sanctions and repeated mass demonstrations, especially without deploying U.S. ground forces.
Initial strike waves primarily targeted Iranian leadership, according to informed sources. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had left Tehran before attacks and relocated to secure facilities, sources confirmed. However, several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political leaders were killed, an Iranian establishment source reported.
Even successful elimination of top officials could create unintended chaos across the 93-million-person nation or potentially establish military rule that might prove more hostile to Western interests and oppressive domestically, analysts warned.
“He wants to change the government,” explained Jon Alterman from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in Washington. “But it’s hard to change the government from the air. It’s hard to change the minds of Iranians through the air.”
Tyson Barker, former senior U.S. official now with the Atlantic Council, said Trump’s calls for Iranian popular uprising would likely fail.
“They’re really exposing these poor Iranian people by saying, ‘Stand up and overthrow your government. We got your back’,” Barker observed.
GROWING MILITARY APPETITE
Trump’s increasing willingness to use military force since beginning his second term led to briefings before Iran strikes that highlighted both risks of significant U.S. casualties and potential Middle East shifts favoring American interests, a U.S. official told Reuters.
The president appears encouraged by June’s bombing of Iran’s primary nuclear facilities, which he deemed highly successful, and January’s operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, giving America substantial influence over that OPEC nation’s enormous oil reserves.
Trump may have committed himself to Iran action through repeated military threats while assembling naval forces he couldn’t maintain indefinitely in the region.
Military analysts consider Iran a more challenging, better-equipped opponent than Venezuela, despite air defenses and missile systems severely damaged in joint U.S.-Israeli June strikes.
“Iran is a more formidable military power, and even what the response is right now in the Gulf – they’re willing to cross lines that they weren’t willing to cross before,” said Nicole Grajewski with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
However, Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a research institute considered pro-Israel and hawkish toward Iran, argued Tehran’s weakened condition justifies Trump’s risks to limit nuclear capabilities.
Whether Iran’s government survives or not, he suggested severely damaging Iran’s nuclear and missile programs could represent victory for Trump.
VIENNA – The International Atomic Energy Agency announced Saturday that it has detected no radiation effects following recent military strikes involving Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, though the organization did not specify whether any Iranian nuclear facilities were hit during the attacks.
The UN’s nuclear oversight body posted on social media that it remains vigilant about Middle East developments and is calling for all parties to exercise caution to prevent nuclear safety hazards for regional populations. The agency stated it maintains ongoing communication with nations throughout the area.
“The IAEA is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, and urges restraint to avoid any nuclear safety risks to people in the region,” the organization wrote. “The IAEA is in permanent contact with countries in the region, so far no evidence of any radiological impact.”
The statement comes amid escalating tensions involving U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iranian targets, as well as retaliatory actions by Iran in neighboring countries.
WASHINGTON – Intelligence analysts concluded that Iran’s military elite would probably seize control if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei perished during recent U.S.-Israeli military operations, according to two sources with knowledge of the classified briefings.
The Central Intelligence Agency’s analysis, compiled during the two weeks leading up to Saturday’s strikes, examined various outcomes that might follow American military intervention and whether such actions could successfully topple Iran’s current government – a stated goal of the Trump administration.
Sources familiar with the intelligence reports, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, emphasized that analysts did not definitively predict any single outcome.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite military organization dedicated to preserving Shi’ite Muslim clerical authority in Iran, would most likely fill any power vacuum, the assessments indicated.
The CIA refused to provide comment on the intelligence evaluations.
For several weeks, President Donald Trump has publicly expressed interest in seeing Iran’s government overthrown, though he has not detailed Washington’s preferred replacement leadership.
During a Saturday morning video statement, Trump labeled Tehran a “terrorist regime” and urged Iranian citizens to overthrow their government, claiming the military strikes would create conditions for a popular revolt.
The combined U.S.-Israeli assault followed extensive internal government discussions about whether to target Iran after December’s deadly demonstrations there.
American diplomats recently attempted to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Tehran as a way to prevent military action.
During congressional briefings last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the Gang of Eight leadership that military operations would probably proceed, while noting Trump might reconsider if nuclear talks succeeded. The Geneva negotiations ultimately failed to produce an accord.
On Friday evening, Rubio alerted the Gang of Eight that Iranian strikes would likely begin within hours, though he indicated the president could still reverse course, two informed sources revealed.
Delaware State Police continue their investigation into a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Laurel man during the early morning hours on Saturday.
According to authorities, the fatal accident happened around 2:25 a.m. on February 28, 2026, when a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck was heading west on Laurel Road near Curley Road in Laurel. Police say the vehicle was unable to navigate a gentle bend in the road and veered off the southern side of the roadway. The truck then plunged into a deep drainage ditch, collided with a tree, and flipped over completely.
The 26-year-old driver from Laurel was not buckled in at the time of the crash and died at the scene, police reported. Authorities are withholding the victim’s identity pending notification of his relatives.
The crash forced officials to shut down the roadway for about three hours while investigators conducted their preliminary examination of the scene.
Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Investigators are seeking help from the public and ask anyone who saw the accident or has relevant information to reach out to Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. Tips can also be submitted through private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Those affected by crime or sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides round-the-clock assistance via their hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
MILAN (AP) — The Queen of Pop commanded attention at Milan Fashion Week Saturday when Madonna arrived for Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall-Winter 2026-27 presentation, creating a buzz that overshadowed even the runway itself.
As her classic hit “You’ll See” played in the background, the 67-year-old superstar and her partner Akeem Morris were escorted to prime seats beside fashion powerhouse Anna Wintour from Vogue right before the show commenced. Fellow front-row attendees couldn’t help but capture the scene on their phones as Madonna embraced actor Alberto Guerra, her co-star in a recent Dolce & Gabbana advertising campaign.
The pop legend’s relationship with the Italian fashion house spans more than three decades, beginning in the 1990s with memorable pieces like a gem-encrusted corset she wore to the 1991 New York premiere of her documentary “Truth or Dare.”
The fashion duo has also designed stage outfits for Madonna’s concert tours, including her 1992 Erotica tour and the 2001 Drowned World Tour.
For Saturday’s show, Madonna traded the lace head covering she wore at her last Dolce & Gabbana appearance for the Spring-Summer 2025 collection for flowing blonde hair. She opted for a sleek black blazer paired with a dark mini-dress, adding a splash of color with striking turquoise leather gloves.
The runway collection from designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana seemed to draw inspiration directly from Madonna’s signature looks, featuring sheer lace garments that echoed her early fashion choices and structured pinstripe suits with bold shoulders reminiscent of her “Vogue” music video era. The line also showcased luxurious faux fur pieces and bold animal patterns.
Throughout the presentation, models made special turns toward Madonna and Wintour’s section, highlighting mirrored double-breasted jackets with unique lapel details on both sides. The two fashion influencers, both sporting dark sunglasses, sat attentively in the low front-row seating with Madonna wrapping her arms around her knees. They were seen quietly discussing their thoughts as the show concluded.
Following the finale, the design team personally greeted Madonna with warm embraces before escorting her to the backstage area.
Meanwhile, crowds of devoted fans assembled outside the venue, hoping to glimpse Madonna and other celebrities who filled the coveted front-row seats.
The recent detention of a 5-year-old Minneapolis boy and his father at a Texas immigration facility reflects a broader pattern affecting hundreds of families nationwide.
The Dilley Immigration Processing Center, located approximately 75 miles south of San Antonio, has housed numerous children alongside their parents, with some families remaining in custody for several months. Department of Homeland Security officials have vigorously defended the facility’s care standards and conditions.
An Associated Press investigation reveals significant findings about how intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has affected daily life within the detention center.
During the initial nine months of the Trump presidency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processed over 3,800 children through detention facilities, based on AP’s examination of University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project statistics.
Daily averages showed more than 220 children in custody, with the majority of those held beyond 24 hours transferred to Dilley. The AP’s analysis revealed that children comprised more than half of all Dilley detainees during the Trump administration’s early period.
Following its reopening last spring, Dilley’s population has increased dramatically, housing over 1,300 individuals by late January, researchers report. Almost two-thirds of children detained by ICE during the Trump administration’s initial months were ultimately deported.
Federal authorities are keeping numerous children at Dilley far beyond the 20-day maximum established by existing court orders.
“We’ve started to use 100 days as a benchmark because so many children are exceeding 20 days,” explained Leecia Welch, chief legal director at Children’s Rights, who conducts regular compliance visits to Dilley. During her most recent visit this month, Welch documented over 30 children who had been detained for more than 100 days.
When the Obama administration established Dilley in 2014, virtually all detained families had recently entered from Mexico.
However, many current detainees have resided in the United States for multiple years, according to attorneys and observers, resulting in children being separated from familiar environments including schools, communities, and their support networks.
Families have described difficult circumstances within Dilley, sharing experiences that challenge claims about adequate care quality.
One mother told the AP that her 13-year-old daughter harmed herself with a plastic utensil after staff members withheld her prescribed antidepressant medication and refused her request to stay with her mother nearby.
Another parent reported that when her 1-year-old developed high fever and vomiting, medical personnel repeatedly provided only acetaminophen and ibuprofen before the child was finally hospitalized for bronchitis, pneumonia, and stomach infections. ICE challenged this account, stating the infant “immediately received proper care.”
Additional families cited common issues including children’s sleep difficulties in rooms where lighting remains constant throughout the night, and digestive problems from contaminated drinking water.
Both parents and children have expressed feeling overwhelmed by the stress of detention, leading many to experience despair.
DHS did not provide responses to the AP’s detailed inquiries about Dilley. However, both DHS and ICE issued strong rebuttals this week regarding allegations of substandard care and conditions.
“The Dilley facility is a family residential center designed specifically to house family units in a safe, structured and appropriate environment,” stated ICE Director Todd M. Lyons.
According to ICE, Dilley offers medical evaluations and infant care supplies, along with educational facilities and recreation areas.
At full capacity, Dilley is projected to produce approximately $180 million yearly for CoreCivic, the private prison corporation operating under ICE contract, based on the company’s recent regulatory filings.
Responding to AP questions, a CoreCivic representative stated that no Dilley child “has been denied medical treatment or experienced a delayed medical assessment.” The corporation emphasized that detainees receive thorough care from medical and mental health specialists.
The expansion of family detention coincides with the Trump administration’s elimination of an office previously responsible for monitoring conditions at Dilley and similar facilities.
Previous investigations identified problems at Dilley, including persistent understaffing and failure to address detention-related trauma.
A specialized committee had recommended ending family detention except in unusual circumstances, and the Biden administration started eliminating the practice in 2021. Dilley closed in 2024, but the Trump administration’s reopening represents a complete policy reversal.
Saturday’s coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes specifically aimed at Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s headquarters, targeting the 86-year-old ruler who has maintained an iron grip on power for more than three decades.
Intelligence sources indicate Khamenei was relocated to a protected site away from Tehran before the bombardment occurred, though Reuters has been unable to confirm his current condition. Satellite photography reveals extensive destruction at his Tehran complex.
According to Israeli officials, eliminating Khamenei was an objective of the military operation. Such an outcome would represent a catastrophic setback for the Islamic Republic, which he has governed since 1989, following his rise during the religious revolution that overthrew Iran’s monarchy and transformed Middle Eastern politics.
THE MOST SERIOUS CHALLENGE YET
While the octogenarian leader has weathered international pressure previously, Saturday’s assault comes as he confronts his most severe political crisis in 36 years of leadership, while simultaneously managing delicate nuclear program discussions with Washington.
Earlier this year, Khamenei authorized the most brutal suppression of dissent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, declaring that citizens demonstrating against economic hardships “should be put in their place” before security personnel fired upon crowds shouting “Death to the dictator!”
Just eight months ago, Khamenei was compelled to seek shelter during nearly two weeks of sustained Israeli and American bombing campaigns that eliminated multiple trusted advisors and Revolutionary Guard officers while destroying valuable nuclear and missile installations.
That military campaign stemmed indirectly from Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which Iranian forces backed. The assault not only sparked the Gaza conflict but also prompted Israel to target Tehran’s other regional allies.
Following Hezbollah’s weakening in Lebanon and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s removal from power, Khamenei’s regional influence has diminished significantly. Meanwhile, Washington continues pressing Iran to surrender its ballistic missile arsenal – its final major strategic advantage.
Khamenei has categorically rejected any discussion of missile disarmament, viewing these weapons as Iran’s sole remaining protection against Israeli military action. This stubborn stance may have contributed to provoking the recent airstrikes.
As American military assets accumulated throughout the region, Khamenei’s strategic thinking reflected a personality shaped by revolutionary upheaval, prolonged conflict with Iraq, decades of confrontation with America, and the methodical consolidation of authority.
Though elected representatives handle routine governance, no significant policy decisions – particularly those involving the United States – advance without Khamenei’s direct authorization. His command of Iran’s intricate clerical governing system, combined with restricted democratic elements, prevents any rival faction from questioning his choices.
KHAMENEI’S UNLIKELY PATH TO ABSOLUTE POWER
During his early leadership years, many observers considered Khamenei ineffective and an improbable replacement for the Islamic Republic’s deceased founder, the magnetic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Having not attained the religious title of ayatollah upon his appointment as Supreme Leader, Khamenei initially struggled to exercise power through spiritual influence, as the theocratic framework intended.
Following years of difficulty escaping his predecessor’s legacy, Khamenei ultimately established dominance by creating a powerful security network answerable exclusively to him.
Khamenei maintains deep suspicion toward Western nations, especially America, which he has consistently accused of plotting his overthrow.
During a characteristically combative address following January’s demonstrations, he attributed the civil unrest to U.S. President Donald Trump, stating: “We consider the U.S. president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.”
Despite his doctrinal inflexibility, Khamenei has demonstrated readiness to compromise when the Islamic Republic’s existence faces threat.
His doctrine of “heroic flexibility,” introduced in 2013, allows strategic concessions to achieve larger objectives, echoing Khomeini’s 1988 decision to accept a ceasefire following eight years of warfare with Iraq.
Khamenei’s cautious support for Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with six global powers represented another such calculation, as he determined that sanctions relief was essential for economic stability and strengthening his political control.
Trump withdrew from the 2015 agreement during his initial presidency in 2018, reimposing devastating economic sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by progressively abandoning all negotiated restrictions on its nuclear activities.
SECURITY APPARATUS ANCHORS KHAMENEI’S AUTHORITY
During periods of mounting pressure, Khamenei has consistently relied upon the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, a paramilitary organization comprising hundreds of thousands of volunteers, to eliminate opposition.
These forces suppressed the demonstrations that erupted following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s controversial presidential reelection in 2009 amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
In 2022, Khamenei displayed identical ruthlessness by detaining, imprisoning, or executing protesters outraged by the custody death of young Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.
The Guards and Basij again crushed January’s latest protest wave.
His authority also depends heavily on the quasi-governmental financial network called Setad, operating under Khamenei’s personal supervision. Valued at tens of billions of dollars, this empire has expanded dramatically during his reign, channeling billions into Revolutionary Guard investments.
International scholars describe a secretive ideological leader consumed by betrayal fears – anxieties stemming from a June 1981 assassination attempt involving a bomb concealed in a tape recorder that permanently damaged his right arm.
According to his official biography, Khamenei endured severe torture in 1963 when, at age 24, he began serving multiple prison sentences for political activities under the shah’s regime.
Following the Revolution, Khamenei served as deputy defense minister and developed close Revolutionary Guard relationships during the 1980-88 Iraq war, which cost one million lives on both sides.
He secured the presidency with Khomeini’s backing but emerged as an unexpected successor choice when the supreme leader died, lacking both popular support and superior religious qualifications.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analyst Karim Sadjadpour noted that this “accident of history” transformed a “weak president to an initially weak supreme leader to one of the five most powerful Iranians of the last 100 years.”
The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session for Saturday following military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East region.
According to U.N. diplomatic sources, the 15-member Security Council will convene at 4 p.m. New York time (2100 GMT). The session will be led by Britain, which currently serves as the council’s monthly president.
The emergency gathering was requested by Russia and China, with Russia’s U.N. mission describing the strikes as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Additional support for the emergency session came from France, Bahrain, and Colombia, according to diplomatic sources.
“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,” Russia’s statement declared.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the Security Council during Saturday’s session, according to diplomatic sources.
Prior to the scheduled meeting, Guterres released a public statement criticizing the military escalation throughout the Middle East region. He stated 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 declared in his statement.
More than 17,000 hockey fans made history Friday night when they packed Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, establishing a new United States attendance record for women’s professional hockey.
The sellout crowd of 17,335 spectators witnessed the Toronto Sceptres defeat the Seattle Torrent 5-2 in what marked both teams’ return to action following the Olympic break.
Seattle competed without their team captain Hilary Knight, who recently helped lead Team USA to Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games. Knight remains on long-term injured reserve after sustaining a lower-body injury during Olympic competition.
Friday’s attendance figure surpassed the previous U.S. record of 17,228 fans, which was established on January 18 when Montreal Victoire took on the New York Sirens at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The Torrent also shattered their own franchise attendance record, which stood at 16,014 fans from their inaugural home game on November 28, 2025, when the expansion team first took the ice at the Seattle venue.
According to league officials, PWHL attendance has increased by 17 percent during the third season, with this growth measured across 61 games played before the Milan Cortina Olympics break.
Soccer’s international governing body announced Saturday that it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran following recent U.S. military action against the country.
The developments occur with just months remaining before the World Cup kicks off in June, featuring games across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran secured its spot in the tournament by advancing through Asian Football Conference competition.
The Iranian national team has been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. Their tournament schedule includes two matches in Los Angeles and one game in Seattle.
FIFA’s secretary general Mattias Grafstrom told reporters the organization is carefully watching how events unfold.
“I read the news (about Iran) this morning the same way you did,” Grafstrom stated during the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, according to ESPN.
“We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.”
Iran participated in the World Cup draw ceremony held in Washington, D.C. last December.
“We will continue to communicate as we always do with three (host) governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe,” Grafstrom added.
Massive crowds gathered in Athens and cities throughout Greece on Saturday, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the nation’s most devastating railway tragedy while calling for accountability before criminal proceedings begin next month.
Transportation across the country ground to a standstill as workers abandoned their posts to participate in the demonstrations. Outside Greece’s parliament building, demonstrators placed flowers and displayed signs calling for “Justice,” while the names of all 57 victims — primarily students — were spray-painted in red letters on the pavement.
The tragedy occurred when a passenger train struck a freight train in a head-on collision at Tempi in Greece’s central region.
This catastrophe has emerged as a powerful representation of governmental failures, highlighting safety oversights and decades of railway infrastructure abandonment.
Driven by widespread distrust of political leaders, who enjoy broad legal immunity under Greek law, the previous year’s widespread demonstrations represented the largest public protests in recent memory.
Law enforcement deployed thousands of officers throughout Athens on Saturday. Similar rallies took place in other countries as well.
“We seek one thing: Justice,” said Pavlos Aslanidis, head of the victims’ relatives association in a speech.
Following the completion of a judicial review this year, numerous non-political defendants will face court proceedings beginning March 23, facing accusations that include causing deaths through traffic violations, negligent homicide, and inflicting bodily injury.
Demonstrators are demanding systemic changes and political responsibility. “It wasn’t an accident, it was murder,” declared one protest sign in Athens.
Investigations revealed that a European Union co-financed initiative to implement safety technology began in 2014 but remained significantly delayed by 2023. Family members have also alleged that officials attempted to conceal evidence.
The center-right administration, which rejects any misconduct allegations, maintains that legal proceedings will illuminate the truth and has committed to comprehensive railway system overhaul by 2027.
LAREDO, Texas — After spending a month at a Texas immigration detention facility located 1,300 miles from their Minnesota residence, an Ecuadorian mother and her 7-year-old child finally gained their freedom.
However, as their bus arrived at a border town shelter in Laredo in mid-February, the trauma from their recent experience at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center continued to weigh heavily on both mother and daughter.
During countless nights confined alongside hundreds of other families at the south Texas facility, the young girl cried repeatedly, desperately seeking answers about their imprisonment.
“She would tell me, ‘Mom, what crime did I commit to be a prisoner?’ I didn’t know what to tell her,” explained the 29-year-old mother, who requested anonymity to protect their ongoing immigration proceedings. Her spouse was removed to Ecuador shortly after their detention began.
Last month, widespread concern emerged when images showed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis apprehending 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was photographed wearing a bunny hat and carrying a Spiderman backpack. Public attention followed Liam and his father to Dilley, a facility encircled by chain-link barriers on barren land roughly 75 miles south of San Antonio.
However, Liam’s situation represents just one case among many. ICE currently detains hundreds of minors at Dilley, with many confined for extended periods.
“We are all Liam,” stated Christian Hinojosa, a Mexican immigrant speaking by telephone from Dilley, where she and her 13-year-old son remained detained for over four months. They gained release this month and returned to San Antonio, where she works as a healthcare assistant.
Hinojosa observed that Liam and his father were freed after just 10 days following intervention by congressional members and a judge.
“My son says, ‘That’s unfair, Mama. What’s the difference between him and us?’”
Originally opened during the Obama presidency in 2014, Dilley initially housed families who had recently entered from Mexico. The Biden administration reduced operations at the facility in 2021 before shuttering it three years later.
Since President Trump’s administration reopened the compound of trailers and prefabricated structures last spring, conditions at Dilley have been influenced by three significant modifications.
Family detention numbers have increased dramatically since autumn. Officials are holding numerous children well past the 20-day maximum established by longstanding court orders. Additionally, many detainees had established lives in American communities for years, maintaining connections to neighborhoods, jobs, and schools, according to legal representatives and observers.
“Just imagine that you’re a child and you’re taken out of your surroundings,” explained Philip Schrag, a Georgetown University law professor who authored “Baby Jails: The Fight to End the Incarceration of Refugee Children in America.”
Suddenly children find themselves in “a completely strange environment with the doors locked and guards in uniform roaming around,” said Schrag, who provided legal assistance to Dilley detainees as a volunteer attorney during the Obama years.
During the initial nine months of the current Trump administration, ICE processed over 3,800 children into detention, based on Associated Press analysis of University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project information. Daily averages exceeded 220 detained children, with most held beyond 24 hours transferred to Dilley. Children comprised more than half of Dilley’s population during this timeframe.
Nearly two-thirds of detained children were ultimately deported, while almost 10 percent departed when parents accepted voluntary removal, according to AP analysis of comprehensive data. Approximately one-quarter received release within the U.S., requiring parents to maintain regular ICE contact during legal proceedings.
Dilley’s population has surged dramatically since the data period, nearly tripling from fall through late January to exceed 1,300 individuals, according to Relevant Research, which analyzes immigration enforcement statistics.
“We’ve started to use 100 days as a benchmark because so many children are exceeding 20 days,” said Leecia Welch, chief legal director at Children’s Rights, who conducts regular Dilley visits for compliance monitoring. During a recent visit, Welch documented over 30 children held beyond 100 days.
Expanded child detention coincides with the Trump administration’s elimination of a Department of Homeland Security office responsible for overseeing conditions at Dilley and similar facilities.
“It’s a particular concern that family detention is being increased,” said Dr. Pamela McPherson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist contracted by DHS from 2014 until last year for inspecting and investigating conditions at Dilley and other ICE facilities housing children.
“Just who’s providing that check-and-balance now?”
Representative Tony Gonzales, whose congressional district includes Dilley, said multiple facility visits have convinced him that criticism is unwarranted.
Gonzales expressed admiration for Dilley’s facilities and staff professionalism. “They’re not doing policy. They’re just fulfilling a duty,” said the Republican representative.
DHS did not respond to detailed AP inquiries about Dilley. However, both DHS and ICE strongly disputed allegations regarding inadequate care and conditions.
“The Dilley facility is a family residential center designed specifically to house family units in a safe, structured and appropriate environment,” ICE Director Todd M. Lyons stated this week. Available services include medical screenings, infant care packages, classrooms, and recreational areas.
Concerns about Dilley became personal for Venezuelan immigrant Kheilin Valero Marcano, who was detained with her husband and 1-year-old daughter Amalia in December and held nearly two months.
When the child developed high fever, Valero Marcano said Dilley personnel dismissed it as merely viral. Two weeks later, Amalia began vomiting and losing weight. Despite at least eight visits to Dilley’s medical office, Valero Marcano said staff only offered Tylenol and ibuprofen.
The infant was eventually hospitalized twice, where physicians diagnosed COVID, bronchitis, pneumonia, and stomach virus, she reported.
ICE challenged Valero Marcano’s version, stating the baby “immediately received proper medical care” at Dilley before hospital transfer. Upon returning to Dilley, “she was in the medical unit and received proper treatment and prescribed medicines,” officials said.
The family’s Dilley return coincided with a measles outbreak. They gained release earlier this month after legal petitions to the court.
“I’m so worried for all the families who are still inside,” Valero Marcano said.
Following over two months in cramped Dilley quarters shared with three other families, a 13-year-old girl’s depression deepened significantly.
The eighth-grader refused food after discovering a worm in her meal, family members reported. Staff occasionally withheld medications she had long received for anxiety management and sleep assistance.
During a complete lockdown, a guard prevented the teenager from leaving their crowded room to accompany her mother and sister to the bathroom. She entered crisis mode and used a plastic cafeteria knife to cut her wrist.
“She said she didn’t want to live anymore because she preferred to die rather than having to keep living in confinement,” her mother, Andrea Armero, told AP via video call from Colombia, where the family was deported this month. AP typically avoids identifying individuals who attempt or complete suicide.
The girl’s difficulties predated Dilley arrival. Shortly after beginning Colombian middle school, she learned a family member had sexually abused her younger sister. Armero said departure seemed the only option, and in early 2024 she and her daughters traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum.
While living with Florida relatives, the 13-year-old performed well academically but occasionally experienced panic attacks about potential return to Colombia. Under psychiatric care, she received anti-anxiety and antidepressant prescriptions and regular therapy. Then in December, ICE agents detained Armero and her daughters during routine check-in.
At Dilley, the 13-year-old found comfort in drawing, creating disturbing images of a girl trapped behind gates. However, when she and other detainees participated in protests after 5-year-old Liam and his father arrived at Dilley, guards confiscated art supplies and ordered everyone inside.
The teenager’s mental health deteriorated completely. She attempted self-harm with the plastic knife and repeatedly struck her head, Armero said. The family was placed in isolation without medical evaluation, then deported to Colombia on February 11 following a judge’s removal order.
Dilley discharge documents listed “active problems,” including “suicide attempt by cutting of wrist” and “self-harm,” plus “history of post-traumatic stress disorder” and “history of anxiety.” AP also interviewed detainees and attorneys who independently confirmed the girl’s suicide attempt.
Addressing AP questions, a DHS official acknowledged “a case of self-harm” within the facility but provided no specifics about the incident or staff response. DHS did not respond to follow-up inquiries seeking details.
“No child at Dilley has been denied medical treatment or experienced a delayed medical assessment,” said Ryan Gustin, spokesman for CoreCivic, the for-profit prison company operating the facility under ICE contract. Gustin declined specific questions about the 13-year-old, citing privacy regulations.
During a phone call from inside Dilley, 13-year-old Gustavo Santino-Josa introduced himself to a reporter by name and the nine-digit identification number ICE assigned when he and his mother were detained.
“Until today I don’t know what we did wrong to get detained,” Gustavo said. “I’ve seen my mom cry almost daily and I ask God that we can go out and go home soon.”
He expressed concern they might never gain release.
“My mom says that as long as there is hope it is worth fighting for,” Gustavo said before transferring the phone to his mother, Christian Hinojosa, the healthcare aide originally from Mexico.
“All his friends have left already,” his mother explained. “Some were deported. Some got released recently. And it hurts. It hurts to see people leaving and you’re staying here.”
Built to accommodate 2,400 individuals, Dilley houses families in clusters ICE terms “neighborhoods.” Bunk beds are positioned side-by-side for up to four families, frequently placing parents with young children in close proximity.
At full capacity, Dilley is projected to generate approximately $180 million in annual revenue for CoreCivic, according to the company’s recent securities filing.
A CoreCivic website video describes Dilley’s “open campus layout allows residents to move freely and unescorted throughout the day.”
The video omits mentioning that parents and children are locked inside.
Responding to AP questions, CoreCivic’s Gustin said Dilley staff includes a pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, other trained medical professionals, and mental health services to “meet the needs of children and families in our care.”
However, discussions with parents of Dilley-detained children reveal recurring issues, said Welch, the children’s rights attorney.
Children frequently cry and experience sleep deprivation, partly due to 24-hour lighting, she noted. The water tastes awful and causes stomach problems and rashes, leading some families to rely on commissary purchases.
Children eat inadequately and have lost weight, Welch reported. While classrooms exist, instruction is limited to one hour daily, primarily completing worksheets.
A 14-year-old girl, identified in court documents as NVSM, reported tensions with up to 12 people sharing their room. At night when she and her mother attempted sleep, others insisted on loud television.
“I feel very sad and stressed to be here,” the teenager stated in court filings related to the binding settlement governing child detention and release. “My nerves are so high. I don’t know what is happening. My muscles will twitch because I’m so nervous and on edge.”
As government detention of parents and children faced scrutiny in 2014, an ICE official claimed that family detention centers, featuring basketball courts and medical clinics, were “more like a summer camp.”
This characterization frustrated McPherson, the child psychiatrist who, with another physician, was hired in 2014 by DHS to inspect family detention centers. The Trump administration did not renew their contracts last year after announcing extensive staff reductions.
“Having a clean place to sleep, having food, that’s not the same thing as having family and community,” McPherson said.
The physicians’ family detention center investigations revealed consistently inadequate staffing and administrative disregard for detention-caused trauma, concerns they reported in 2018 to a Senate caucus established for whistleblower testimony.
At Dilley, the doctors documented persistent pediatrician shortages and inability to hire a child psychiatrist throughout their inspection period until alerting senators.
Employees uncertain about managing 2-year-olds who bit and hit each other placed children and parents in medical isolation for days, McPherson and her colleague told senators. Without supervision, a Dilley nurse administered adult-strength hepatitis A vaccines to approximately 250 children in 2015, the American Immigration Lawyers Association reported.
DHS addressed many findings through changes before a special committee recommended in late 2016 that government discontinue family detention except in rare circumstances. The first Trump administration expanded family detention before the Biden administration began phasing it out in 2021.
The Trump administration’s decision to again hold families at Dilley after numerous warnings feels “dystopian,” McPherson said.
“The decision to knowingly traumatize children and subject them to chronic stress, I just have no words for it,” she said.
Gathered around picnic tables at the Laredo migrant shelter, parents released from Dilley searched frantically for flights to the homes they left behind. They contacted relatives, friends, teachers, anyone who might provide financial assistance for travel.
The young Ecuadorian mother discussed returning to Minneapolis, where her 2-year-old daughter, born in the U.S., was staying with a friend. With her husband deported, she faces sole parenting responsibilities.
This means re-enrolling her 7-year-old in school. Then the woman, who held a work permit and restaurant job in Minneapolis before detention, must provide for her children.
“Let’s go home, Mom, but don’t go back to work because ICE is going to pick you up again,” the little girl said. Her mother attempted reassurance.
That won’t happen, she explained, because they now possess special documentation instructing ICE to leave them alone.
President Donald Trump was warned about the possibility of significant American casualties before authorizing military strikes against Iran, while also being told the operation could reshape Middle East power dynamics for generations, according to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters.
The Pentagon’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’ launched Saturday has thrust the Middle East into an uncertain new phase of conflict. Combined U.S. and Israeli forces targeted multiple locations throughout Iran, prompting Iranian counterstrikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf nations.
According to the anonymous official, military advisers presented the mission to Trump as carrying both substantial dangers and potentially transformative benefits.
The president seemed to acknowledge these stakes when he stated that ‘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 declared during a televised announcement of the combat operations.
‘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.’
These intelligence assessments from Trump’s security advisers shed light on the decision-making process behind what may be America’s most dangerous military venture since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Before authorizing the strikes, Trump met with key officials including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who commands U.S. Middle East operations through Central Command, traveled to Washington Thursday for White House Situation Room consultations.
A second U.S. official revealed that pre-strike briefings outlined numerous potential threats, including overwhelming Iranian missile barrages against multiple American bases and proxy force attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria.
Despite America’s substantial military deployment, the official noted limitations in regional air defense capabilities that had been rapidly positioned.
Military analysts warn the developing conflict could spiral dangerously, with the first official noting Pentagon plans offer no guaranteed outcomes.
While Trump has urged Iranians to overthrow their government, Nicole Grajewski from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace expressed skepticism about such prospects.
‘The Iranian opposition is pretty fragmented. It’s unclear what the population is willing to do in terms of rising up,’ Grajewski explained.
Both officials demanded anonymity given the classified nature of internal deliberations.
Neither the White House nor Pentagon provided immediate responses to comment requests.
In preparation for the assault, Trump authorized massive military reinforcements across the Middle East. Reuters previously reported on extensive planning for sustained Iranian operations, including targeting specific officials.
An Israeli source indicated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted, though strike results remain unclear.
Trump outlined ambitious goals Saturday, vowing to eliminate Tehran’s threat to America while enabling Iranians to remove their current leadership. His strategy includes dismantling Iran’s military capabilities and preventing nuclear weapons development, though Iran denies pursuing such weapons.
‘We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground… We’re going to annihilate their navy,’ he announced. ‘We’re going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces.’
This decision reflects Trump’s growing willingness to accept military risks, surpassing even last month’s special operations raid that captured Venezuela’s president.
The Iranian campaign also exceeds the risk level of Trump’s June order to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened all American regional assets, promising continued retaliation until ‘the enemy is decisively defeated.’
Security experts highlight Iran’s diverse retaliatory options, spanning missile attacks, drone warfare, and cyber operations.
Former Pentagon Middle East official Daniel Shapiro, who also served as U.S. ambassador to Israel, cautioned that Tehran retains significant strike capabilities despite the allied assault.
‘Iran has many more ballistic missiles that can reach U.S. bases than the U.S. has interceptors … some Iranian weapons will get through,’ Shapiro warned. ‘(The strikes are) a major gamble.’
Iran’s top religious authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is preparing to deliver public remarks following weekend military operations that targeted high-ranking Iranian officials, according to state-run Al-Alam television.
The announcement comes just hours after coordinated strikes by American and Israeli forces took place on Saturday, with Iran’s Supreme Leader expected to address the nation momentarily.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that the timing and location of upcoming three-way peace negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will hinge on Middle East security concerns and what he called “real diplomatic possibilities.”
The Ukrainian leader indicated he plans to provide new instructions to his country’s negotiating delegation for the discussions, though he did not reveal the specifics of those directives.
Earlier this week on Thursday, Zelenskyy had indicated the next round of diplomatic talks would likely occur in Abu Dhabi during the first week of March.
The situation has become more complicated after the United Arab Emirates found itself involved in regional conflict following joint U.S. and Israeli air operations targeting Iran.
NEW YORK – Iran’s top diplomat acknowledged Saturday that his country has experienced casualties among its military leadership, but characterized these losses as manageable.
According to NBC News correspondent reporting on social media, Iran’s foreign minister stated “we may have lost a few commanders, but that’s not such a big problem.”
The remarks, made on Saturday, represent a rare public acknowledgment from Iranian leadership regarding military personnel losses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for recent US military strikes against Iran on Saturday, emphasizing the need for Washington to take firm action while avoiding broader conflict escalation.
“Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken,” Zelenskyy posted on social media, having previously advocated for regime change in Iran. “This understanding must also come to the Russians,” he continued.
Iran maintains strong ties with Russia, which launched its war against Ukraine in 2022. The Tehran government has provided Moscow with thousands of long-range Shahed drones, and Russian facilities now manufacture weapons based on Iranian designs.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have launched more than 57,000 Shahed-type drones targeting Ukraine throughout the ongoing conflict.
“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,” the Ukrainian leader stated, while stressing the importance of protecting civilian lives.
“It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively,” he concluded.
Following the enactment of recent legislation, Kansas state officials have begun notifying transgender residents that their driver’s licenses have been suspended. The invalidation notices are being mailed to affected individuals, informing them that their driving privileges will remain suspended until they modify the gender designation on their identification documents.
The license suspensions are a direct result of new state legislation that has changed how Kansas handles gender information on official identification documents. Hundreds of transgender residents across the state have reportedly received these notification letters from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
The affected individuals must update their gender information with the state before their driving privileges can be reinstated. This requirement stems from the recently passed law that has altered the state’s policies regarding gender markers on official documents.
BERLIN – Three of Europe’s most powerful nations delivered a unified message to Iran on Saturday, demanding an immediate end to military operations targeting regional countries and a return to diplomatic dialogue.
In a coordinated statement, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed their strongest disapproval of Iran’s recent military actions.
“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms,” the three leaders declared in their joint announcement.
The European officials pushed for diplomatic solutions, stating: “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.”
The trio emphasized their ongoing concerns about multiple Iranian activities, including the nation’s nuclear development efforts, ballistic missile capabilities, regional interference, and internal suppression of citizens.
The European leaders made clear their nations were not involved in Saturday’s military operations, while noting they maintain regular communication with international allies, including the United States, Israel, and other regional partners.
“We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life,” the statement concluded.
Three sources with knowledge of Israeli military operations have reported that two high-ranking Iranian military officials were killed in recent Israeli strikes, according to information released February 28th.
The officials reportedly killed include Iran’s Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour. Two sources with direct knowledge of Israeli military activities, along with one regional intelligence source, confirmed the deaths of both Iranian leaders.
The reports come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran in the region.
Financial markets are bracing for potential upheaval after the United States and Israel conducted military operations against Iran over the weekend, with President Donald Trump stating the action would eliminate security risks and potentially empower Iranian citizens to challenge their government.
The military action has heightened concerns among oil-producing nations in the Persian Gulf region as tensions continue to mount, prompting Iran to fire missiles toward Israeli territory in response.
According to four industry sources, several major oil companies and prominent trading firms have halted petroleum and fuel transport through the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing hostilities.
Market specialists are offering their perspectives on the potential economic fallout:
Vishnu Varathan, who leads macro research for Asia excluding Japan at Mizuho in Singapore, explained: “A broader state of spots of regional attacks/instability may be par for the course – in line with Iran’s warning. Oil prices are likely to remain elevated as production and passage remain prone to attacks and disruptions. OPEC may be under pressure to raise production to try and offset. But a 10-25% premium on oil is not outlandish – even without a blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, which is easily a 50% premium risk event.”
Christopher Wong, a strategist with OCBC in Singapore, noted: “The strike raises geopolitical risk premia as markets head into Monday’s open. The immediate reaction function is fairly predictable: safe-haven assets such as gold are likely to see an upside gap, while oil prices may also firm on supply-disruption concerns. Risk assets and high-beta currencies… could face an initial bout of volatility, particularly if headlines suggest potential retaliation or regional spillovers.”
Nick Ferres, chief investment officer at Vantage Point Asset Management in Singapore, offered a concise assessment: “Energy is still inexpensive. That’s the obvious sector that rallies on Monday. And gold.”
Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst with MST Marquee in Sydney, provided a more detailed analysis: “Early indications are of a broader scale attack on Iran, with counterattacks which could escalate to draw in multiple gulf countries. If the Iranian regime feel they face an existential threat, attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz cannot be ruled out. The US and allies will have military escort plans to try protect passage through the Strait.”
Kavonic continued: “But if Iran were to manage to disrupt flows through the Strait, over 20% of global oil and LNG flows could be impacted. This could present a scenario three times the severity of the arab oil embargo and Iranian revolution in the 1970s, and drive oil prices into the triple digits, while LNG prices could retest the record highs of 2022.”
He further warned: “The scope for intentional and unintentional escalation in these circumstances is broad and hard to predict. Initial oil market reactions will price in higher risk of various scenarios that may disrupt supply, from a more modest disruption to 2mmbbld of Iranian exports, to attacks on regional oil infrastructure, through to disruption of passage through the Strait of Hormuz in the most extreme scenario. This could add several dollars more to oil, poised for even higher price spikes is the conflict escalates.”
Regarding the critical shipping route, Kavonic concluded: “A full prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely. But even a partial disruption of flows, especially as some tankers avoid the region, could see several million barrels per day of oil disrupted which would still send oil over $100.”
The recent British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards ceremony has sparked difficult conversations among Black individuals living with Tourette syndrome after an attendee’s vocal tic produced a racial slur during a presentation by two Black actors from “Sinners.”
Chloe Winston, a 24-year-old who experiences coprolalia – the same type of verbal tic as BAFTA nominee and Tourette advocate John Davidson who shouted the offensive word – described her conflicted emotions about the situation. “It’s been pretty difficult because I feel like there’s such a clash between both sides,” Winston explained. “A tic is not intentional, but it still causes harm. And I think that does require accountability.”
The outburst occurred precisely when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were announcing the evening’s opening award, creating a controversy that dominated Sunday’s ceremony coverage. Initial reactions included outrage that the performers and other Black guests were exposed to the slur, followed by frustration from disability advocates over misunderstanding about Tourette syndrome. The BBC faced particularly harsh criticism for broadcasting the uncensored slur during their delayed coverage two hours later, unlike most major award shows that use brief delays to prevent such incidents.
Both BAFTA and BBC issued apologies that many deemed inadequate, with the BBC announcing plans to remove the segment from their iPlayer streaming platform.
The controversy has motivated Black individuals with Tourette syndrome, including politicians and social media influencers, to share their perspectives. They emphasize that compassion for those with the condition doesn’t diminish the hurt experienced by the Black community, while calling for recognition of the damage caused. Some express concern that misconceptions about Tourette syndrome might worsen racial profiling or bias against Black people with the disorder.
Advocacy organizations are now leveraging this moment to expand support networks for Black individuals who feel marginalized by their Tourette syndrome diagnosis.
According to the Tourette Association of America, Tourette syndrome represents a neurodevelopmental condition marked by unexpected, uncontrollable movements and sounds known as tics. These manifestations can be physical or vocal, ranging from barely noticeable to severely debilitating.
Dr. Jeremiah Scharf, a tic disorder expert at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained the neurological basis: “We know that there’s 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.”
Symptoms typically emerge during elementary years and reach their peak intensity between ages 10 and 14, Scharf noted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 1.4 million Americans live with Tourette syndrome or related persistent tic disorders.
Coprolalia involves “the involuntary utterance of obscene and socially unacceptable words and phrases,” affecting an estimated 10-15% of those with Tourette syndrome, according to the association. The organization warns against judging individuals based on their tic content.
These verbal eruptions – usually profanity and offensive language – stem from biological factors that stress can intensify, including sleep deprivation or emotional distress, Scharf explained. The tics resist control and occur involuntarily, comparable to sneezing.
“Unfortunately, for this subset of people, it is incredibly disabling because they don’t want to say those things. It’s very distressing to them,” Scharf said, speaking generally rather than about the specific BAFTA situation. “They feel significant remorse about it.”
Managing severe tic disorders involves various approaches from medications to behavioral interventions. Teaching the brain to manage tics “takes an enormous amount of practice in terms of recognizing when the tics are coming,” Scharf noted, though no universal treatment exists.
Jhónelle Bean, a Black American Sign Language interpreter with Tourette syndrome, addressed the polarized BAFTA discussion through TikTok, where her video about the situation’s complexity has attracted over 3 million viewers.
“Two things can be true at the same time,” Bean stated. “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 I’m 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.”
Bean also highlighted discriminatory “ableism” responses suggesting Davidson “should have been locked away, he should’ve had a muzzle, things like that.” However, she disagreed with social media users telling those offended by the slur to simply “get over it.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, described the physical and mental difficulty of suppressing tics. As someone who also experiences coprolalia, Williams acknowledged Davidson’s attempt to leave the situation, though noted “maybe he could have moved a little sooner.”
“For me, it was all about making sure we’re practicing care. And I don’t think that happened for the two actors that were there or the Black folks who were there or people who didn’t want to hear the word,” Williams said.
Reice Griffin, a 20-year-old Tourette Association of America rising leader and ambassador, described constant anxiety for Black individuals with Tourette syndrome or tic disorders. She has encountered people who witness her tics and assume drug use or aggressive behavior, with police interactions creating additional stress.
“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 observed.
The association, which provides “I Have TS” identification cards, actively works to increase support for people of color.
Griffin recently participated in a virtual support group for Black young adults and speaks at schools and community events to build confidence.
“I thought that because I had Tourette syndrome that, like, public speaking was out the window,” Griffin reflected. “If I could help another young Black girl with Tourette syndrome not feel as alone or help people get diagnosed — that’s the dream.”
Williams agrees that Black individuals with Tourette syndrome lack adequate support and tries to help by sharing his experiences, leading to direct contact 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 they’re going through,” Williams said.
PHARR, Texas — The familiar voice of Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido echoes through an adult day care facility in South Texas, his Spanish lyrics floating from corner speakers as he prepares to make his pitch for votes in his congressional campaign.
Wearing his signature cowboy boots, dark denim, leather jacket and cream-colored cowboy hat, the Democratic candidate enters the facility where seniors are engaged in card games and friendly conversation. While some inquire about the man in Western attire, others pay little attention until the music stops and Pulido takes the microphone.
Speaking in Spanish, he urges the crowd to vote and encourage their children to do the same. “Because the truth is that we are living in difficult times right now and it is important to make a change,” he tells them.
The Tejano music icon, who has spent thirty years performing the genre that originated in South Texas fields and neighborhoods, represents the Democratic Party’s strategy to regain ground with Hispanic voters who have increasingly supported Republicans during the Trump years. Party leaders view him as their strongest candidate to unseat U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, the sole Republican House member representing Texas’ Rio Grande Valley in a district specifically designed to protect her seat.
The region features three competitive contests this election cycle, placing it at the heart of the fight for House control after Texas Republicans redrew district maps at former President Donald Trump’s urging to benefit their party. Tuesday marks the primary elections.
Despite being new to political campaigns, Pulido continues his farewell concert tour with two remaining performances, including one scheduled this weekend in Mexico. His Democratic primary opponent is Ada Cuellar, a physician and law school graduate campaigning from a more progressive position. Cuellar contends that Pulido lacks connection with voters and that both he and party leaders overestimate the value of his musical fame.
The competitive U.S. Senate primary has spilled into the congressional race, with state Rep. James Talarico supporting Pulido while U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett backs Cuellar.
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination for the 15th Congressional District faces an uphill battle in November. De La Cruz secured victory by 14 percentage points in 2024, before Republicans adjusted district boundaries to strengthen her advantage further.
The territory Pulido seeks to represent spans 300 miles from the Mexican border northward through ranch land and small communities. The district’s population is 81% Hispanic, economically disadvantaged compared to state and national averages, and predominantly Catholic. It exemplifies the movement of working-class Hispanic voters toward the Republican Party, a significant political development of recent years.
Within the redrawn district, Democratic presidential support declined from 55% for Hillary Clinton in 2016 to just 41% for Kamala Harris in 2024.
Acknowledging the area’s cultural conservatism, Pulido has adopted centrist positions that sometimes frustrate progressive activists. On abortion, he explains his personal opposition while supporting women’s right to choose.
“Even if I personally would not be OK with it, I still respect that other people might make their own decisions and that we have to be OK with that,” he stated.
The candidate has faced criticism for years of provocative social media content, including offensive jokes and links to adult websites. He once shared a video appearing to show him urinating on Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star, later revealing it was a prank involving a water bottle.
“My sense of humor on social media — and it’s very much in Spanish, I have a lot of fans in Mexico — sometimes that humor doesn’t translate,” Pulido acknowledged, expressing embarrassment over some past posts.
Primary rival Cuellar emphasizes her healthcare system experience and policy knowledge, contrasting her background with Pulido’s entertainment career.
“He doesn’t really understand the issues or have the solutions that I have,” she argued.
Running a more liberal campaign, Cuellar particularly challenges Pulido’s abortion stance as misaligned with Democratic voters.
She views Pulido’s threat stemming not from his fame but from strong backing by Washington and local Hidalgo County establishment figures. Unnamed officials have pressured her to withdraw from the race, Cuellar claims.
“I am like a scrappy underdog, and I’ve been one my whole life,” Cuellar said. “So I really am not concerned about the celebrity itself, but I’m fighting this establishment pressure, and that’s really the biggest challenge I’m faced with.”
Self-funding her campaign to match Pulido’s spending, she has broadcast television advertisements while he has not.
National Democratic leadership considers Pulido’s moderate approach better suited for the general election against De La Cruz. Despite generally supporting Trump and House leadership, she was among just 17 House Republicans voting with Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.
At a Trump rally in Corpus Christi Friday, De La Cruz highlighted their collaboration on pressuring Mexico to release water owed from the shared Rio Grande basin.
“We have together delivered for Texas and delivered for our nation by turning all of South Texas red, and we will continue to keep Texas red,” De La Cruz declared.
Back at My Morning Star Adult Day Care, Pulido’s music resumed as he moved between tables, greeting visitors with handshakes and conversation in English or Spanish based on their preferences.
“I’ll ask the sky to not make me suffer anymore,” his recorded voice croons over accordion and percussion, telling a tale of heartbreak and yearning. The 1997 hit “Le Pediré” ranks among his career highlights spanning three decades.
Pulido earned Latin Grammy Awards for Best Tejano Album in 2022 and 2025, plus received an American Grammy nomination this year.
His musical roots run deep in Tejano culture, which combines Mexican folk traditions with European dance styles introduced by Czech, German and Polish immigrants. The genre remains closely tied to this specific Central and South Texas region, where many residents trace ancestry to the Republic of Texas era before statehood.
His father, Roberto Pulido, pioneered the genre, which has declined in popularity since its 1990s peak when Selena achieved mainstream success.
Beyond celebrity status, Bobby Pulido’s generational connection to Tejano music provides authentic credibility with local residents, according to Cathy Ragland, a University of North Texas ethnomusicology professor specializing in border music.
“He is a homegrown guy in the border, and that gets you a lot of mileage,” she observed.
Sitting outside the day care center, Pulido acknowledged that fame helps in political campaigns but doesn’t guarantee victory.
“I’m not going to lie, it opens the door. It doesn’t seal the deal,” Pulido reflected.
“I don’t think people vote for you because you’re famous. They’ll listen to you because you’re famous, and then they’re going to decide if they want to vote for you or not.”
WASHINGTON — Two political movements that typically stand on opposite sides of the aisle are finding common ground in an extraordinary Supreme Court case scheduled for Monday, creating partnerships that would have seemed impossible just years ago.
The high court will examine whether federal law can prohibit marijuana users from legally possessing firearms, a question that has produced some of the most surprising political alliances in recent memory.
In an unusual twist, the incoming Trump administration finds itself defending restrictions on gun ownership, with support from gun-control organizations that typically back Democratic policies.
Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association has joined forces with the American Civil Liberties Union in opposing the federal restriction.
The legal battle centers on federal legislation that prohibits individuals who regularly consume marijuana from lawfully possessing firearms. This issue has created disagreement among lower courts following a significant 2022 Supreme Court ruling that broadened Second Amendment protections.
ACLU legal director Cecillia Wang argues the statute violates constitutional gun rights and lacks clarity regarding what constitutes drug use.
“We’re deeply concerned with the potential of this statute to basically give federal prosecutors a blank check,” she said. “Millions of Americans use marijuana and there is no way for them to know based on words of this statute whether they could be charged or convicted of this crime because they own a firearm.”
Medical marijuana has gained legal status in most states, while recreational use is permitted in approximately half the nation.
However, the federal prohibition extends beyond marijuana to encompass all illegal substances, potentially opening the door for broader gun ownership rights among various drug users. Everytown for Gun Safety maintains the restriction satisfies the Supreme Court’s standard that firearms laws must be rooted in historical precedent.
“Restricting firearm use by illegal drug users is ‘as old as legislative recognition of the drug problem itself,’” their legal team stated.
Despite state-level changes, marijuana remains federally prohibited, though President Trump has issued an executive order to expedite its reclassification as a less hazardous substance.
The Justice Department seeks to reinstate criminal charges against Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas resident who faced felony accusations for possessing a firearm while admitting to smoking marijuana every other day. During a home search connected to a larger investigation, FBI agents discovered a small quantity of cocaine, though only the gun-related charge was pursued.
The conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case, determining that only individuals who are intoxicated while armed can face criminal charges.
While the administration has supported gun rights in other matters, government attorneys contend this restriction is reasonable. “Habitual illegal drug users with firearms present unique dangers to society — especially because they pose a grave risk of armed, hostile encounters with police officers while impaired,” they argued in legal filings. They compare the law to historical restrictions on frequently intoxicated individuals.
Although the conservative-majority Supreme Court has expanded firearm rights, it has also maintained federal legislation disarming individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The Justice Department draws parallels between drug users and domestic violence subjects as similar risks. The same law was applied in Hunter Biden’s case, who was convicted of purchasing a firearm while struggling with cocaine addiction.
However, the NRA and other Second Amendment organizations, typically Republican allies, oppose the administration in Hemani’s case.
“Americans have traditionally chosen which substances are acceptable for responsible recreational use, and the fundamental right to keep and bear arms was never denied to people who occasionally partook in such drugs — unless they were carrying arms while actively intoxicated,” Second Amendment Foundation attorneys wrote in court documents.
The marijuana advocacy organization NORML supports this position, noting that baby boomers represent one of the fastest-growing user demographics, often using products like marijuana gummies for arthritis relief and sleep issues.
“It’s laughable to think that by outlawing cannabis users possessing firearms you’ll minimize the problem with gun violence,” said Joe A. Bondy, chair of NORML’s board of directors, one of America’s oldest and largest marijuana legalization advocacy groups.
International leaders voiced strong reactions following Saturday’s coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, with many calling for immediate de-escalation as tensions escalate across the Middle East region.
The following represents how world officials responded to the military action:
DMITRY MEDVEDEV, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIA’S SECURITY COUNCIL
The former Russian president criticized the strikes, stating: “The peacemaker once again showed his face. All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation. No one doubted it. No one really wanted to negotiate anything.”
Medvedev also referenced historical longevity, saying: “The question is who has more patience to wait for the inglorious end of their enemy. The USA is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Let’s see in 100 years…”
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
France’s leader pushed for an emergency United Nations Security Council session, warning that conflict between America, Israel and Iran creates “serious consequences” for global peace and stability.
“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 destabilise the region,” Macron wrote on X.
“This is absolutely essential for the security of everyone in the Middle East.”
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.
“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
Canada’s Prime Minister expressed backing for American efforts, stating his nation 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 declared in a social media statement on platform X.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Albares subsequently posted on X that Madrid insisted on respecting international law, reducing tensions and pursuing dialogue, while expressing support for those targeted by the strikes.
“The attacks must stop,” he stated.
OMAN
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi revealed that active diplomatic talks his nation was facilitating between Iran and America were “yet again undermined” due to the current escalation.
“Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this…I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war,” he posted 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.”
UKRAINE’S FOREIGN MINISTRY
“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,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry stated.
International soccer officials have given the green light to major rule modifications designed to eliminate stalling tactics and accelerate match tempo, with these adjustments scheduled to debut during the 2026 World Cup and throughout all competitions worldwide.
The International Football Association Board reached these decisions during their 140th Annual General Meeting held Saturday in Hensol, Wales.
Among the most notable modifications is implementing countdown timers for throw-ins and goal kicks.
When officials determine that a throw-in or goal kick is being unnecessarily delayed or intentionally stalled, referees will display a five-second visual timer. Teams that fail to resume action before time runs out will lose possession, with throw-ins switching to the opposing team and delayed goal kicks resulting in corner kicks for opponents.
This expansion builds upon previous regulations introduced last year targeting goalkeepers who excessively hold onto the ball.
Substituted players will now have just 10 seconds to exit the field after officials display the substitution board or signal the change.
Teams that exceed this timeframe will see their incoming player forced to wait until the next play stoppage after one full minute of action, though the departing player must still exit immediately.
Any player requiring medical evaluation on the field or whose injury halts play must leave the pitch when action resumes and stay off for one minute. Officials designed this rule to prevent teams from using fake injuries to waste time.
The meeting also endorsed three modifications to video assistant referee procedures. VAR officials can now intervene in additional scenarios when clear evidence exists: incorrect second yellow cards leading to ejections, cases involving wrong player identification, and corner kicks mistakenly awarded.
Beginning July 1, updated Laws of the Game will permit non-hazardous items to be worn when properly covered, and allow referees to use chest or head-mounted cameras.
Additional clarifications addressed dropped ball situations, giving possession to whichever team would have maintained control if play hadn’t stopped, and accidental double contacts during penalty attempts.
The board also agreed to examine issues involving players leaving the field to protest referee decisions or team officials encouraging such behavior, plus players covering their mouths during confrontations with opponents.
Weekend military strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iran have financial analysts warning of potential widespread market disruption and rising oil costs that could affect consumers across the globe.
The military action has created anxiety among oil-producing nations in the Gulf region as concerns about broader conflict intensify. Iran responded to the strikes by firing missiles toward Israel.
Energy markets are particularly vulnerable given Iran’s role as a significant oil producer and its location across from major oil-producing Arab nations near the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil transportation.
The potential for supply disruptions has already had immediate effects. Trading sources reported Saturday that several major oil companies and trading firms have halted crude oil and fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following the attacks.
Brent crude was trading around $73 per barrel on Friday, representing a 20% increase for the year. William Jackson from Capital Economics suggests that even limited conflict could push Brent prices to approximately $80, matching levels seen during Iran’s 12-day conflict last June.
Extended fighting that disrupts supply chains could drive oil costs toward $100 per barrel, Jackson noted in his analysis. Such an increase might boost global inflation by 0.6 to 0.7 percentage points.
Market instability extends beyond energy sectors. Global financial markets have already experienced significant swings this year due to trade policy changes and technology sector declines. The VIX volatility measure has climbed one-third this year, while U.S. bond volatility indicators show a 15% increase.
Currency fluctuations are also anticipated. During June’s conflict, the dollar index dropped roughly 1%, though it recovered within several days. CBA analysts noted that the extent of currency movement will depend on conflict duration and scope.
“In current circumstances, the size of the fall will depend on how large and how long-lasting the conflict is expected to be,” CBA analysts stated in their recent assessment.
“If the conflict was long-lasting and disrupted oil supplies, we expect the U.S. dollar would lift against most currencies except Japanese yen and Swiss franc. The U.S. is a net energy exporter and so benefits from higher oil and gas prices that would result from disrupted oil supply.”
Israel’s currency faces particular pressure following Iran’s quick retaliation Saturday. The shekel declined 5% during June’s conflict and showed similar reactions after previous regional incidents in 2024. While past episodes were temporary with quick recoveries, JPMorgan suggests this situation could differ if conflict persists.
“This would especially be the case if confrontation with Iran also triggers more intensive operations against Iran’s proxies,” the financial institution warned.
Safe-haven investments are experiencing increased demand. The Swiss franc, traditionally sought during uncertain times, has gained 3% against the dollar this year and faces additional upward pressure that concerns the Swiss National Bank.
Gold continues its record performance with 22% gains in 2026, while silver maintains strong momentum. U.S. Treasury bonds are also attracting investors as yields decline. However, bitcoin has fallen 2% Saturday and lost over 25% of its value in two months, no longer viewed as a safe investment.
Middle Eastern stock markets opening Sunday, including those in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, will provide early indicators of investor confidence. These markets typically mirror oil price movements, but escalating conflict could create broader economic ripple effects.
Ryan Lemand of Neovision Wealth Management expects market declines if hostilities continue. “I suspect markets will be down if these hostilities continue through the day,” he said, predicting potential 3-5% drops in Gulf equity markets depending on conflict scale.
Saudi Arabia’s primary stock index has already declined 1.3% over five days through Thursday, marking its second straight week of losses. Dubai’s main market also fell during recent weeks.
International airlines canceled Middle East flights Saturday, and aviation stocks may face pressure if conflict spreads and forces additional airspace restrictions. Conversely, European defense contractors, already up 10% this year, could see increased demand for their products.
Berkshire Hathaway announced Saturday that its quarterly earnings dropped substantially in the final three months of the year, driven by investment losses and weakened performance from its insurance operations.
The financial results represent the conclusion of Warren Buffett’s era as the company’s chief executive officer, with Greg Abel now assuming the CEO role while Buffett continues as chairman of the board.
The investment conglomerate revealed it closed out the year holding $373.3 billion in cash reserves, providing Abel with substantial resources to pursue large-scale acquisitions that had been challenging for Buffett to secure in recent years.
The company’s quarterly operational earnings dropped by 30 percent to $10.2 billion, equivalent to approximately $7,092 for each Class A share, compared to $14.53 billion during the same period the previous year.
The earnings decline was attributed to significant losses on the company’s stakes in Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum, combined with weaker results from Berkshire’s various insurance subsidiaries.
SAO PAULO – Brazil’s government issued a stern rebuke Saturday following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian facilities, calling the actions deeply troubling.
In an official statement, Brazilian officials emphasized their concerns about the timing of the military operations. “The attacks 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,” the government declared.
The South American nation urged all involved countries to honor international legal standards and show maximum caution to prevent further escalation of conflict while safeguarding civilian populations.
Brazil’s diplomatic missions throughout the Middle East are closely tracking the situation, with special focus on protecting Brazilian citizens living in nations affected by the military actions, the statement noted.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Park Avenue will need to find alternate routes today as construction crews have blocked traffic between Woodbranch Road and Nanticoke Avenue.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the eastbound lane closure is scheduled to continue until 5 p.m. this afternoon while work is being completed in the area.
Drivers are advised to plan extra time for their commute and consider using alternate routes to avoid delays in the construction zone.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Park Avenue will encounter a lane closure that’s expected to last through Monday evening, according to DelDOT officials.
The eastbound lane remains blocked between Woodbranch Road and Nanticoke Avenue as construction crews continue their work in the area. Traffic restrictions are set to remain in place until 5 p.m. today.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes or allow extra travel time when navigating through the affected area during the closure period.
The Biden administration is working to explain recent U.S. military operations against Iranian targets to the American people through official statements and briefings.
White House officials are focusing their public communications on providing context and justification for the military strikes that have taken place in Iran.
The administration’s messaging strategy appears centered on keeping the public informed about the developments and the reasoning behind the military action.
Kansas state officials have begun mailing notifications to transgender residents informing them that their driver’s licenses will be revoked unless they modify the gender designation on their identification documents, following the enactment of new state legislation.
The recently passed law mandates that individuals update their official identification to reflect their birth-assigned gender, prompting the state to take action against current license holders whose documents show a different gender identity.
Recipients of these official notices are being told they must alter their gender information or face having their driving privileges suspended under the new legal requirements.
An eatery in Mobile, Alabama, displayed what seemed like an impossible promotional offer with their storefront sign reading: “Free oysters to any man 80 years old accompanied by his father.”
The seemingly impossible challenge was met when Jimmy Rush arrived at the establishment on his milestone 80th birthday, bringing along his father Jim. NPR’s Scott Simon spoke with Rush about taking advantage of this unique dining opportunity.
The restaurant’s clever marketing ploy, which likely seemed safe from any actual takers, found its match in the Rush family’s remarkable situation of having both an octogenarian son and his still-living father able to claim the promotional offer together.
Changes to federal Small Business Administration lending rules are creating new obstacles for legal immigrants who want to start their own businesses in the United States.
The updated SBA policies now prohibit non-citizens from obtaining the government-backed loans that many entrepreneurs rely on to launch their ventures, regardless of their legal immigration status.
NPR’s Scott Simon recently interviewed immigrant entrepreneur Cristina Foanene to discuss how these regulatory changes have impacted her journey to secure financing for her business startup.
The conversation highlighted the challenges that legal immigrants now face when trying to access traditional small business funding options that were previously available to them.
These policy modifications represent a significant shift in how the federal government approaches small business lending to immigrant communities across the country.
VATICAN CITY — One of the world’s most celebrated Renaissance masterpieces is undergoing a delicate cleaning process as restoration specialists work to eliminate a crusty white salt layer that has built up on Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” over the past thirty years since its previous major restoration.
Vatican officials provided media access on Saturday to observe the restoration work, which requires extensive floor-to-ceiling scaffolding that currently blocks the massive fresco depicting heaven and hell on the chapel’s front wall.
The restoration project should wrap up by Easter during the first week of April. Tourists can still tour the chapel during the work, though they’ll view a digital reproduction displayed on a screen covering the scaffolding instead of the original artwork.
Vatican Museum representatives explained Saturday that this straightforward yet crucial cleaning addresses the white salt deposits formed by the approximately 25,000 daily visitors to the Vatican Museums.
“This salt is created because, above all, when we sweat, we emit lactic acid, and unfortunately lactic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate present on the wall,” said Fabio Moresi, in charge of the scientific research team at the Vatican Museums that is overseeing the cleaning.
Rising temperatures due to climate change worsen the problem, as visitors perspire more heavily, generating additional moisture that interacts with the artwork, Moresi explained.
Vatican Museums director Barbara Jatta compared the salt coating to a “cataract” that can be removed through a relatively simple process: restoration specialists soak Japanese rice paper sheets in distilled water, then gently press and wipe them across the fresco surface to lift away the salt layer.
The dramatic transformation becomes apparent when viewing the work up close from the scaffolding platform: untreated areas appear covered in chalky powder, while cleaned sections reveal brilliant colors and intricate details from the original painting. On the central figure of Christ, for instance, observers can now clearly see Michelangelo’s brushwork depicting hair texture and crucifixion wounds.
The chapel bears the name of Pope Sixtus IV, an arts supporter who directed construction of the primary papal chapel during the 1400s.
However, a subsequent pope, Julius II, hired Michelangelo to create the renowned ceiling artwork featuring “Creation of Adam” with God’s extended hand from 1508 to 1512. Later, Pope Clement VII brought Michelangelo back in 1533 to complete “The Last Judgment.”
Other Sistine Chapel frescoes, located where Pope Leo XIV was chosen in May, receive annual maintenance with workers using mobile lifts during overnight hours, removing equipment each morning before public tours begin.
Those mobile units cannot reach all portions of “The Last Judgment” because the fresco sits behind the altar, which stands elevated on marble steps. This access challenge necessitated installing permanent scaffolding to reach the entire artwork for proper cleaning.
The Sistine Chapel received comprehensive restoration from 1979 through 1999, eliminating centuries of accumulated smoke, dirt and wax residue. Vatican officials preserved small unchanged sections to demonstrate the contrast, now visible from upper scaffolding levels showing walls that were nearly black before treatment.
Instead of dramatically limiting visitor numbers to the Sistine Chapel, Vatican officials are exploring humidity control solutions through air filtration and other technologies to prevent future salt film formation.
OMAHA, Neb. — The new chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway issued his inaugural shareholder letter this weekend, marking a significant milestone as Greg Abel steps into the role previously held by legendary investor Warren Buffett. The company simultaneously announced it would take a $4.5 billion write-down on investments in Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum.
Abel assumed the CEO position this past January, giving him his first opportunity to establish his leadership approach. While investors are closely monitoring potential operational shifts, both Abel and Buffett have indicated the company will maintain its established business practices.
The correspondence begins by honoring Buffett’s legacy and pledges to preserve the corporate philosophy that has driven success for more than sixty years. Abel committed to continuing the operational methods that have defined the company’s approach.
Though Buffett retains his role as board chairman and remains the company’s primary stakeholder, he continues providing guidance to the Nebraska-based business empire he created. However, Abel now authors the widely-anticipated annual communications that became essential reading in the investment community due to Buffett’s exceptional performance history and distinctive commentary style. At the upcoming May shareholder gathering, Abel will field questions independently while Buffett observes alongside other board members.
Administrative adjustments represent the primary modifications Abel has implemented thus far, along with January documentation indicating potential divestment of some or all of Berkshire’s 325 million Kraft Heinz shares. Buffett likely endorsed this strategy, having previously acknowledged the company paid excessive amounts during the Heinz-Kraft combination and expressing concerns about the food manufacturer’s division plans. Numerous investors have historically attempted to mirror Buffett’s investment decisions within Berkshire’s extensive stock holdings.
The conglomerate’s strength stems from its ownership of numerous subsidiaries, including major insurance providers like Geico, the BNSF railway system, multiple utility companies, and various manufacturing and retail operations. Popular consumer brands under Berkshire’s umbrella include Dairy Queen and See’s Candy, alongside industrial suppliers such as Precision Castparts, Lubrizol, and Iscar Metalworking.
Abel brings substantial familiarity with Berkshire’s portfolio, having overseen all non-insurance subsidiaries since 2018. Company leaders reporting to him have commended his understanding of their diverse business operations.
Israel implemented sweeping emergency protocols Saturday, shuttering educational institutions and prohibiting public assemblies as Iran fired missiles at the country in response to a combined American-Israeli military operation against Tehran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a nationwide emergency declaration, alerting citizens about incoming Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting the nation.
Israeli military officials instructed civilians to adhere to emergency protocols while announcing the mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve forces, including troops deployed to strengthen border defenses. Law enforcement agencies requested citizens avoid unnecessary trips to ensure emergency and security vehicles could operate without obstruction.
Despite the threat, some Tel Aviv residents visited coastal areas Saturday before Iran’s initial response began, expressing confidence in their advanced air defense capabilities and voicing approval for military action against Iran.
“It’s about time,” said Shira Dorany as she took a walk along Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean-front promenade.
“I don’t want to wait anymore for what’s coming. Now, it’s coming. Let’s finish it.”
Initial reports indicated minimal damage or casualties from Iran’s opening missile volleys. Israeli citizens typically have access to protective shelters and receive warnings through a comprehensive national alert network.
The two nations previously engaged in aerial combat last year following Israel’s surprise June assault on Iran, which the United States subsequently joined. That 12-day conflict resulted in over 30 Israeli deaths and more than 900 Iranian casualties.
Tel Aviv, home to several military installations, sustained numerous hits during the previous year’s conflict, along with southern Israeli regions housing military facilities.
Israeli authorities suspended civilian air traffic Saturday while keeping land crossings with Egypt and Jordan operational, according to airport authority representatives.
The American Embassy in Jerusalem instructed government staff to shelter in place, following Friday’s advisory allowing personnel to depart the country voluntarily.
Jerusalem residents were observed hurrying to purchase food supplies and withdraw cash as sounds of missile interceptions reverberated throughout the city.
Medical personnel at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv relocated entire hospital units to underground levels.
“(Sheba) switched to advanced preparedness mode in preparation for the strike in Iran. We are in the process of moving all our departments and services into protected areas,” said Itai Pessach, the medical center’s director general.
At Tel Aviv’s shoreline, Maayan Eliasi, 43, described Israeli military action against Iran as essential “to establish that we are strong.”
“We are not scared, and we are here to protect our land.”
International leaders are voicing strong reactions following coordinated military operations by Israel and the United States against Iran on Saturday. The strikes have intensified Middle East tensions as President Donald Trump pledged to eliminate Tehran’s missile capabilities and block nuclear weapons development.
World leaders have responded with a mix of criticism and calls for de-escalation:
DMITRY MEDVEDEV, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIA’S SECURITY COUNCIL
“The peacemaker once again showed his face,” Medvedev, a former Russian president, said. “All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation. No one doubted it. No one really wanted to negotiate anything.”
“The question is who has more patience to wait for the inglorious end of their enemy. The USA is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Let’s see in 100 years…”
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.”
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
The French leader has requested an emergency United Nations Security Council session, warning that military conflict between the US, Israel and Iran poses “serious consequences” for global peace and stability.
“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 destabilise the region,” Macron said on X.
“This is absolutely essential for the security of everyone in the Middle East.”
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.
UKRAINE’S FOREIGN MINISTRY
“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,” the foreign ministry said.
Russia’s state nuclear energy company has withdrawn nearly 100 personnel from Iran following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Saturday, according to company officials.
Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear corporation, confirmed through CEO Alexei Likhachev that 94 individuals were removed from the country, including all employees’ children, workers deemed non-critical, and any staff members who requested to leave.
Despite the evacuations, Russian workers continue to operate Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility, which remains staffed and functional.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation and assessing the risks. If necessary, additional measures will be taken in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safety of our employees,” Likhachev stated.
The CEO emphasized that nuclear installations “should not be targeted under any circumstances,” though he declined to elaborate on specific conditions at the Bushehr site.
The Bushehr facility represents Iran’s sole functioning nuclear power station and was constructed by Russian engineers. Russian technical staff maintain an ongoing presence at the location to support operations.
Saturday’s military actions by the U.S. and Israel targeted Iranian leadership, escalating tensions and creating a new flashpoint in the already volatile Middle East region.
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron is demanding an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council following Saturday’s military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that the conflict could have “serious consequences” for global peace and stability.
The French leader conducted phone conversations with officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and the president of Kurdistan’s autonomous region, according to his office.
Writing on X, Macron indicated France stands prepared to provide necessary resources to protect its closest allies if requested.
“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 stated.
“This is absolutely essential for the security of everyone in the Middle East,” he continued.
“The Iranian people must also be able to build their future freely. The massacres perpetrated by the Islamic regime discredit it and necessitate that the people be given a voice. The sooner the better.”
Saturday’s coordinated strikes by Washington and Israel have thrust the Middle East into fresh conflict, with President Donald Trump describing the action as necessary to eliminate security threats to America while potentially giving Iranian citizens an opportunity to overthrow their government.
A deadly missile strike from Iran claimed four lives and injured multiple others when it hit a residential structure in Sweida, a city in southern Syria, on Saturday, according to Syria’s official news agency SANA.
Witnesses and local residents’ video footage showed additional missile fragments scattered across Quneitra city and the Yarmouk Basin area within Daraa province in Syria’s southern region.
Military aircraft could be heard flying overhead throughout Saturday across Syrian airspace, following public announcements by the United States and Israel regarding military actions targeting Iran.
Two eyewitnesses, including a Reuters correspondent, reported observing numerous defensive missiles streaking through the sky above Damascus.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented a temporary road closure on eastbound College Road today due to ongoing construction work.
The affected stretch runs from Kenton Road to Oakmount Drive, with the shutdown scheduled to last until 3 p.m. this afternoon.
Motorists traveling in the area should plan alternate routes and expect potential delays during the closure period. DelDOT has not provided additional details about the specific nature of the construction work being performed.
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry issued sharp criticism Saturday regarding joint military operations by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, characterizing the actions as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.” The Russian government is calling for an immediate end to the military operations and a shift toward diplomatic solutions.
Through a Telegram post, the ministry alleged that Washington and Tel Aviv are using Iran’s nuclear program as cover for their true objective of changing the Iranian government.
Russian officials expressed alarm that these military actions could spark a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” throughout the region, claiming the U.S. and Israel are pushing “the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”
The Kremlin specifically criticized strikes against nuclear installations that fall under International Atomic Energy Agency oversight, calling such attacks “unacceptable.” Russia offered to facilitate peaceful negotiations while assigning complete blame for the current tensions to 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.
Moscow also denounced what it described as “the serial nature of destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. administration,” claiming America is undermining “the international legal pillars of the world order.”
For years, Russia has carefully managed its Middle Eastern relationships, working to preserve positive ties with Israel while simultaneously building stronger economic and defense partnerships with Iran.
Just last week, Iranian military units and Russian naval personnel participated in joint training exercises in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean waters designed to improve “operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences,” according to Iran’s official IRNA news service.
Political analysts in Moscow suggest that heightened tensions between Israel and Iran might shift international focus away from the Ukraine conflict, potentially benefiting Russia by reducing Western backing for Kyiv.
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American and Israeli forces conducted extensive military strikes against Iran, describing the operation as aimed at dismantling the nation’s military infrastructure and preventing nuclear weapons development.
Tehran’s Foreign Ministry vowed to protect Iranian territory while the Revolutionary Guard launched retaliatory strikes, sending drones and missiles toward Israeli targets and attacking American military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
The military action followed Trump’s ongoing pressure campaign for nuclear negotiations with Tehran, which included positioning a significant naval presence in the region amid Iran’s internal unrest from widespread demonstrations.
Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that Israeli-American strikes killed at least 40 individuals at a girls’ educational facility in southern Iran. Additionally, debris from an Iranian missile strike in the United Arab Emirates capital resulted in one fatality, according to state reports.
Israeli officials confirmed their participation in the Iranian operation after Saturday morning explosions echoed through Tehran. Initial strikes occurred near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s administrative offices, though his whereabouts remained unknown as he had not appeared publicly for several days.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the military action as necessary “to remove threats.” A briefing official, speaking anonymously about classified details, indicated that Iranian military installations, government symbols and intelligence facilities were primary targets.
Warning sirens activated throughout Israel to alert civilians about potential incoming missile threats.
Bahrain reported missile strikes directed at the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet command center on the island nation. Kuwait residents heard warning signals and explosions near U.S. Army Central facilities, while Qatar experienced blasts close to Al Udeid Air Base, which houses thousands of American personnel.
Both Iraq and the United Arab Emirates suspended air traffic operations, and Jordan activated emergency sirens.
Northern Israel sustained damage to residential buildings with debris scattered across multiple locations, media and law enforcement reported. However, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani stated that Israel avoided major strikes, and emergency responders confirmed no injuries from the nationwide missile bombardment.
Iranian-supported Houthis in Yemen pledged to restart attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping and Israeli targets, two senior Houthi sources revealed anonymously due to the absence of official leadership statements.
Trump delayed his public confirmation of American participation in what he called “major combat operations” for more than an hour.
Through an 8-minute social media video, Trump explained that U.S. motivations extended well beyond nuclear concerns, citing complaints dating to Iran’s 1979 revolution that transformed the country from a key American Middle East partner into a primary adversary.
Trump advised Iranians to seek shelter but encouraged them to eventually overthrow their Islamic government.
“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 strikes occurred one day after Trump expressed dissatisfaction with stalled negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities.
Israeli officials stated they coordinated with American counterparts for months to develop the attack strategy.
Prior to Geneva-based U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks, America had positioned extensive air and naval forces regionally to pressure Iran toward nuclear agreements.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in January to strengthen regional naval presence. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and four escort destroyers later departed the Caribbean for Middle East deployment and currently operate in Mediterranean waters.
This naval buildup added over 10,000 American military personnel to the region.
A congressional primary battle in North Carolina is providing insight into how the Democratic Party plans to position itself during the Trump administration.
The race features a showdown between incumbent Representative Valerie Foushee, who has served two terms in Congress, and Nida Allam, a progressive local government official. Their competition is taking place in a district considered a Democratic stronghold.
This primary contest illustrates the broader conversation happening within the Democratic Party as members debate the best strategy for moving forward in the current political climate. The matchup between an established congresswoman and a progressive challenger represents the different approaches party members are considering for the years ahead.
The outcome of this race could signal which direction North Carolina Democrats prefer as they work to define their party’s identity and priorities going forward.
International air travel came to a standstill across the Middle East on Saturday as major airlines grounded flights following military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, creating a fresh regional crisis.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed completely vacant airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Bahrain and Jordan during early Saturday hours. European aviation authorities advised their carriers to avoid the affected regions during the military operations.
Here’s how individual airlines responded to the crisis:
Greece’s flagship carrier Aegean Airlines halted all service to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Erbil through March 2.
Air France grounded Saturday flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut, while its Dutch partner KLM moved up its previously announced suspension of Amsterdam-Tel Aviv service, originally set to begin Sunday.
British Airways, owned by ICAG, canceled Tel Aviv and Bahrain flights until March 3, plus Saturday’s Amman service.
Spanish carrier Iberia Express scrapped its 5 p.m. Saturday departure to Tel Aviv.
Japan Airlines eliminated Saturday’s Tokyo Haneda-Doha route and the March 1 return trip, according to Nikkei reports.
LOT Polish Airlines turned around flight LO121 en route from Warsaw to Dubai, returning to Warsaw.
German airline Lufthansa suspended Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman service through March 7, along with weekend Dubai flights. The carrier also banned flights through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7.
Norwegian Air grounded all Dubai routes until March 4, though a company representative noted their Tel Aviv and Beirut services only operate during summer months.
Scandinavian Airlines canceled Saturday’s Copenhagen-Tel Aviv flight, with future dates under review.
Turkish Airlines eliminated Saturday flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman, while suspending Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan service through March 2.
Virgin Atlantic began avoiding Iraqi airspace, forcing flight rerouting and canceling Saturday’s London Heathrow-Dubai service VS400.
Qatar Airways temporarily suspended Doha operations due to closed Qatari airspace.
Wizz Air immediately halted flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until March 7, stating they would continue monitoring conditions for potential schedule changes.
The widespread disruptions highlight how quickly regional conflicts can paralyze international air travel, affecting thousands of passengers worldwide.
DUBAI – Widespread panic gripped Iran as a joint military operation by the United States and Israel sent civilians fleeing from major cities, with long lines forming at fuel stations as residents sought safety elsewhere, according to eyewitness accounts.
Blasts shook the Iranian capital of Tehran early Saturday, sending smoke plumes across the skyline as the nation began its work week. A Tehran resident told Reuters he was hurrying to collect his children from their school.
“We are scared, we are terrified. My children are shaking, we have nowhere to go, we will die here,” said Minou, a 32-year-old mother of two from the northern city of Tabriz, one of several locations where explosions occurred.
“What is going to happen to my children?” she asked while weeping during a phone conversation.
Iranian security officials warned that additional strikes were anticipated in Tehran and other urban centers, advising citizens to “travel to other cities where possible so that you may remain safe from the harm of these two regimes’ acts of aggression.” Educational institutions at all levels were ordered closed indefinitely.
The military action represents another crisis for Iranian citizens, occurring just weeks following a deadly government suppression of nationwide protests, and eight months after a previous 12-day conflict with Israel that included U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump characterized the mission as necessary to eliminate threats to American security while providing Iranians an opportunity to overthrow their government. Military officials designated the American portion of the strikes as “OPERATION EPIC FURY.”
One Iranian citizen from Yazd in the country’s central region expressed hope that the assault might bring down the religious leadership that has governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “Let them bomb,” the Yazd resident stated.
However, Samira Mohebbi from the northern coastal city of Rasht offered a different perspective.
“I am against this regime, to hell with them. But I don’t want my country to be attacked by foreign forces, I don’t want my Iran to turn into Iraq,” she explained, referencing the neighboring nation that endured years of violence and instability after the U.S.-led invasion removed Saddam Hussein.
Security personnel established roadblocks around Tehran’s government district, which houses the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the national legislature, witnesses reported.
The strikes followed unsuccessful nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Geneva on Thursday, despite Omani intermediaries indicating some advancement in discussions.
“They said the nuclear talks are going well. They fooled us again,” a Tehran resident commented.
International authorities have long maintained suspicions that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran consistently rejects.
Citizens were observed rushing to purchase foreign currency, while some in Isfahan, another targeted area, reported being unable to access cash from automated banking machines.
Reza Saadati, 45, said he was relocating his family to Urumieh near the Turkish frontier. “If the border is open, we will cross and then fly to Istanbul,” he explained.
Mohammad Esmaili, 63, calling from Ilam approximately 500 kilometers from Tehran, announced plans to evacuate with his relatives. “God knows what will happen to us. Pray for us,” he pleaded.
A Tehran mother of three children expressed the widespread anxiety: “People are shocked, scared. What is going to happen to us? Save us please.”
Multiple Middle Eastern nations came under Iranian missile fire Saturday as Tehran followed through on promises to strike back against the United States and Israel, shattering the calm in a region known for its stability.
Officials in the United Arab Emirates reported through state media that one fatality occurred in Abu Dhabi, though additional details were not provided.
Military forces in Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan—all nations hosting American military installations—successfully shot down the incoming Iranian projectiles.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared: “All occupied territories and the criminal U.S. 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.”
Bahrain verified that an assault occurred within its borders, with a U.S. Fifth Fleet service facility taking a direct hit. Reuters footage captured thick gray smoke billowing near the island nation’s shoreline while emergency sirens echoed across the area.
Residents throughout Abu Dhabi reported hearing thunderous explosions, according to five eyewitnesses including Reuters journalists. Local authorities sent emergency alerts to cell phones instructing people to find shelter in secure structures and avoid windows due to incoming missile dangers.
One local resident described hearing five rapid booms that shook windows in a residence near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche waterfront. Similar explosive sounds were reported by witnesses in the Al Dhafra and Bateen neighborhoods.
Military aircraft were observed patrolling the skies above Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island district Saturday afternoon.
Qatar’s defense forces announced they had neutralized Iranian missiles before they could reach the country’s borders through “joint coordination” efforts. Multiple waves of explosions echoed through Doha, the nation’s capital.
Following a shelter warning from the U.S. Embassy in Doha, many locals initially continued their weekend routines. Grocery stores remained busy, beach visitors headed to the coast, and a tourist-filled double-decker bus continued its route through the West Bay area.
However, after the government issued mobile phone alerts ordering people to shelter in place, street activity decreased noticeably and vehicle traffic became lighter.
Kuwait’s military confirmed it had neutralized missiles within the country’s airspace, while Jordanian forces reported downing two Iranian ballistic weapons.
International carriers halted flights throughout the Middle East region, with tracking data showing Iran’s airspace nearly completely vacant of aircraft.
The death of one of the world’s most wanted drug kingpins has failed to significantly impact his criminal organization’s vast operations on American soil, according to security officials from both the United States and Mexico.
Mexican special operations forces eliminated Nemesio Oseguera, better known as “El Mencho,” during a joint operation with U.S. support on February 22. The takedown marked the most significant cartel leader capture in over ten years.
Following their leader’s death, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel unleashed widespread violence across Mexico, setting fires to buildings and blocking major roadways in a show of force that made international headlines.
However, law enforcement sources indicate the cartel’s sophisticated American operations remain largely untouched. These networks facilitate the acquisition of military weapons, enable multi-billion dollar fuel trafficking schemes, and launder enormous amounts of criminal proceeds.
“The United States has become increasingly important to cartels, especially the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, for it to thrive,” stated Alamdar Hamdani, who previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
White House representative Anna Kelly emphasized that the current administration “has worked closely with the Mexican government to stop the scourge of drugs and criminals entering our country,” crediting this partnership with 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,” Kelly added.
The successful operation has intensified Mexican calls for increased U.S. action against cartel activities within American borders. Such enforcement actions carry significant risks for Mexico, as they often trigger violent retaliation in a nation where drug-related conflicts have claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to intensify anti-cartel operations has prompted fresh demands for reciprocal U.S. efforts.
“The United States can’t turn a blind eye to Mexico’s demands any longer,” declared Mexican Congressman Alfonso Ramirez Cuellar, a key Sheinbaum supporter.
Cuellar emphasized the need for enhanced U.S. efforts targeting money laundering, fuel trafficking, and particularly weapons smuggling from America into Mexico.
“We can’t stop drug traffickers if the United States continues allowing them to strengthen their military capabilities,” he stated.
While the U.S. has pursued hundreds of cartel-related prosecutions domestically in recent years, the current administration redirected thousands of agents from drug, firearms, and money laundering investigations to immigration enforcement efforts last year.
Reuters previously documented a notable decline in drug conspiracy and money laundering charges filed in the past year.
“The Trump administration has predominantly focused on highly militarized actions against drugs abroad and has not paid similar attention to actions at home,” observed security analyst Vanda Felbab-Brown.
A Justice Department representative said the administration remains “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 highlighted several recent prosecutions targeting senior Jalisco cartel figures.
Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s Undersecretary for North America, confirmed his government has consistently prioritized arms trafficking concerns in bilateral discussions.
“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,” Velasco explained.
Interviews with a dozen current and former officials from both countries, combined with analysis of court records from ten recent cartel cases, revealed extensive U.S.-based operations critical to the organization’s strength and profitability.
The investigation uncovered involvement by American businesses and professionals, including fuel traders, telecommunications retailers, and financial brokers, in cartel activities.
“There’s a lot of economic integration – both legal and illegal,” noted Alexia Bautista, a former Mexican diplomatic official.
During the raid that killed El Mencho at a mountain cabin where he awaited his girlfriend’s visit, cartel gunmen fought back using predominantly American weapons, according to Mexican Army chief Ricardo Trevilla.
Approximately 80% of the 23,000 weapons seized by Mexican authorities since Sheinbaum assumed office in late 2024 originated in the United States, Trevilla reported.
The Jalisco organization has demonstrated particular skill in acquiring heavy military equipment from gun retailers across America, law enforcement officials confirmed.
One weapons trafficking network supplied the cartel with firearms from over a dozen states, including .50 caliber rifles capable of downing aircraft and FN SCAR assault rifles designed for elite military units, according to investigative findings.
While such weapons can be legally purchased in America, they become contraband upon entering Mexico, which maintains strict firearms 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?” questioned Derek Maltz, former acting Drug Enforcement Administration chief.
“The U.S. has to step up in a lot of areas,” Maltz continued, citing needs for improved arms trafficking prosecutions and expanded public health programs addressing American drug demand.
Beyond traditional drug profits, cartels have constructed a massive cross-border petroleum empire worth billions of dollars in less than a decade.
The Jalisco cartel leads this enterprise, which relies on networks of American companies including refineries, fuel traders, transportation firms, and storage facilities, some operating with full knowledge of their criminal partnerships.
“This is no longer stealing fuel from (state energy company) Pemex,” explained Guadalupe Correa, a George Mason University professor studying cartel revenue diversification. “It’s a huge, transnational business.”
Authorities describe two primary smuggling methods: stolen Mexican crude oil sold to American companies, and legitimate U.S. fuel purchased through shell companies and smuggled into Mexico disguised as other products to evade taxes.
Sheinbaum confirmed last year that American business figures were involved in fuel smuggling investigations. “One cannot explain otherwise how fuel comes from the U.S. to Mexico, and enters illegally,” she stated.
In late 2024, El Mencho’s son-in-law Cristian Gutierrez Ochoa was apprehended at a $1.2 million residence in Riverside, California.
Court documents reveal Gutierrez, who pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy charges in June 2025, purchased the five-bedroom home using drug money channeled through a Mexican shell company masquerading as a tequila business.
Property investment represents just one method the Jalisco cartel employs to legitimize its American profits.
Carlos Olivo, a former DEA agent who specialized in tracking the organization’s U.S. financial operations, said cartel money flows through restaurants, textile companies, entertainment businesses, agricultural enterprises, and even stock markets.
“In total, we’re talking about hundreds of millions in assets in cartel-related money in the United States,” Olivo stated.
A DEA spokesperson confirmed cartels utilize diverse money laundering techniques, “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, expressed hope that Sheinbaum’s decision to target the country’s most powerful cartel leader would motivate increased U.S. domestic enforcement efforts.
“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 concluded.
Astronomers are scratching their heads over a colossal star that has done something never witnessed before in the cosmos.
The star, known as WOH G64, sits in the Large Magellanic Cloud – a neighboring galaxy to our own Milky Way. Scientists have been watching this stellar giant for more than 30 years, and what they’ve seen has left them puzzled.
In 2014, researchers noticed something extraordinary: the star suddenly shifted from red to yellow, indicating its surface temperature had increased. This transformation happened without any explosive event or eruption that scientists would typically expect.
“Typically the evolution of a star takes place on timescales of billions of years. On human timescales, we only observe more abrupt and violent events, such as eruptions, the merger of two stars or their explosive deaths,” explained astronomer Gonzalo Muñoz-Sanchez, who led the research published in Nature Astronomy.
The star had previously been categorized as an extreme red supergiant but quickly transformed into what scientists call a yellow hypergiant – a change that happened rapidly by cosmic standards.
“No current stellar models can fully explain this transformation” in WOH G64, Muñoz-Sanchez noted. He conducted the study while working at the National Observatory of Athens.
To put this star’s immense size in perspective, WOH G64 weighs 28 times more than our sun and shines 300,000 times brighter. Its diameter stretches 1,500 times wider than the sun. If this giant replaced our sun, its outer edge would reach somewhere between Jupiter and Saturn’s orbital paths. Even traveling at light speed, it would take six hours to go around the star’s perimeter.
At roughly 10 million years old, WOH G64 is approaching its final chapter. By comparison, our sun has been burning for 4.5 billion years and has another 5 billion years ahead of it. The massive star lies approximately 160,000 light-years away from Earth.
“WOH G64 is a massive star and very different from the sun,” Muñoz-Sanchez emphasized.
Scientists understand that stars weighing between eight and 23 times our sun’s mass typically become red supergiants before exploding as supernovas. However, the destiny of stars in the 23 to 30 solar mass range remains uncertain. They might explode as supernovas, collapse directly into black holes, or transition from red supergiants to yellow hypergiants before their demise.
“Hence, WOH G64 might be the solution to this question,” Muñoz-Sanchez suggested.
The mystery deepens further because observations reveal WOH G64 is gravitationally linked to another star in what astronomers call a binary system. Researchers couldn’t determine the companion star’s size or properties, but they believe the two might eventually merge.
Scientists have developed theories about WOH G64’s recent changes. One possibility is that the star experienced a violent episode before their observations began, which turned it red, and it’s now returning to its normal yellow state. Another theory suggests that interactions between WOH G64 and its companion temporarily made it appear like a red supergiant.
“As astronomers continue to monitor this remarkable system, WOH G64 is poised to reshape our understanding of how the most massive stars live and die,” Muñoz-Sanchez concluded.
MOSCOW – Russian aviation authorities announced Saturday that all domestic airlines have halted service to Iran and Israel as military tensions escalate across the Middle East region.
The flight suspensions come after Israel conducted what it described as a preemptive strike against Iran on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities and dealing another blow to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving Iran’s nuclear standoff with Western nations.
According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the decision was made after both Iranian and Israeli authorities shut down their respective airspace. Working alongside the federal aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya, Russian carriers had already developed backup flight paths to maintain service to Persian Gulf destinations while ensuring passenger safety.
Officials warned that travel times to the region will be extended due to the necessity of using longer routing around the affected areas.
The aviation crisis expanded later Saturday when Rosaviatsiya issued additional guidance after Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait also sealed off their airspace as a safety precaution. The United Arab Emirates has implemented temporary flight restrictions as well.
Russian aviation regulators are now directing airlines to utilize alternative flight corridors when traveling to Persian Gulf nations, emphasizing strict adherence to safety protocols while closely monitoring updates from international aviation authorities.
European officials are working frantically to ensure their citizens’ safety in the Middle East and determine their response after the United States and Israel conducted coordinated military strikes against Iran on Saturday.
Germany has scheduled an emergency session for Saturday to address the Iranian situation, while the European Union has begun evacuating certain personnel from the region.
The coordinated assault by the US and Israel targeted multiple locations throughout Iran, with President Donald Trump making an unprecedented call for Iranian citizens to “take over your government” — a remarkable statement suggesting efforts to topple the nation’s religious government following decades of conflict.
It remains uncertain whether America’s European partners received advance notification of the military action. German officials stated they were only briefed about the strikes on Saturday morning, while France’s deputy defense minister indicated they anticipated something would occur but lacked specific timing.
In response to the military action, the EU’s chief diplomat characterized the Middle Eastern conflict as “perilous” and announced her efforts with Israeli and Arab leaders to pursue diplomatic solutions.
“Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security,” stated Kaja Kallas, the 27-nation bloc’s foreign policy leader, through social media.
“The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths.”
Kallas confirmed the EU was removing some regional personnel while maintaining its naval operations in the Red Sea. The European Union recently imposed additional sanctions on Iran and key officials, which led Tehran to respond with counter-sanctions.
German authorities announced they were tracking developments in Iran, Israel and throughout the Middle East after receiving notification of the Israeli operations Saturday morning. Germany’s crisis response team is set to convene at noon to evaluate the Iranian situation.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz was already in discussions with security ministers and European counterparts.
German officials advised their citizens in Iran, Israel, and surrounding areas to register through the official overseas citizen system and comply with local authority guidance for personal safety measures.
France, which maintains military installations and regular operations in the Middle East, is advising French nationals in the region to use extreme care.
“A military escalation is underway. … It’s not the time for negotiations, we are in a situation of war,” deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo stated on France-2 television Saturday, drawing parallels to events from last June.
“Our priority is the protection of our citizens and protection of our forces in the region,” she explained.
When questioned about French military participation in the US-Israeli operations or whether they faced retaliatory attacks, French military spokesman Col. Guillaume Vernet said Saturday: “The French armed forces continuously adapt their posture to threats and implement measures to ensure the surveillance and protection of military installations where French soldiers are deployed.”
He declined to provide additional details.
“Our military presence guarantees France’s independent assessment of the situation,” he informed the AP.
Italian leadership advised its citizens to use maximum caution and follow embassy guidance throughout the region. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office announced she would contact regional allies and leaders in the coming hours to “support any initiative that may lead to a de-escalation of tensions.”
“Italy reiterates its support to the Iranian civilian population, who courageously continue to demand respect for their civil and political rights,” Meloni’s office stated.
Switzerland demanded complete adherence to international law and called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
NEW YORK — Two decades ago, a young entrepreneur named David Ellison launched his entertainment company with a World War I aviation film that featured himself in a leading role and heavy special effects.
The movie crashed and burned at theaters.
Fast-forward twenty years, and that same studio chief who was once dismissed as just another wealthy heir playing in Hollywood is now positioned to control one of the entertainment industry’s biggest names. Ellison’s Skydance Productions, after successfully merging with Paramount, has emerged victorious in the battle to acquire the massive Warner Bros. Discovery.
“It’s only a surprise to those who haven’t been paying attention to the long game,” said Walter Nicoletti, who founded film production company Voce Spettacolo. He pointed to Skydance’s strategy of backing successful films and building partnerships with major industry players. “This is a sort of a silent takeover. Skydance didn’t start as a predator. It started as an essential partner.”
Back in 2006, when David Ellison — son of Oracle Corporation co-founder Larry Ellison — established Skydance at age 23, the company barely registered as a footnote in an industry accustomed to wealthy outsiders attempting to break into Hollywood’s inner circle.
The company’s first major release, “Flyboys,” failed to make any significant impact on the industry.
Critics savaged the film. The Seattle Times called it “cloyingly formulaic,” while The Washington Post dismissed it as an “inflated wannabe epic.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote “It’s hard not to giggle.”
Renowned critic Richard Roeper joined the chorus of negative reviews and questioned the filmmakers’ judgment.
“Why make such a corny and incredibly predictable film?” he asked in his review.
Despite the setback, Ellison persevered. Over the following years, while more failures occurred, he gradually accumulated victories as well. He formed alliances with entertainment giants like Paramount, Netflix and Apple, producing a series of successful films that generated hundreds of millions in revenue. He attracted top talent and significant investment. His studio even achieved the rare milestone of crossing $1 billion in earnings with 2022’s massive hit “Top Gun: Maverick,” starring his company’s most dependable performer, Tom Cruise.
Jason Squire, a former studio executive and emeritus professor at the University of Southern California who hosts “The Movie Business Podcast,” opposes the deal that positions Skydance to control Warner Bros., believing such consolidation reduces competition and damages the industry. However, he acknowledges his amazement at Ellison’s transformation from someone who was “not high on the radar” in Hollywood to reaching the industry’s summit.
“One of the traditions of entering the movie business is serious wealth, or access to serious wealth. But once you get a foothold, you have to demonstrate that wealth — by buying things, acquiring projects,” Squire explained. “They became a player.”
While money alone didn’t guarantee Ellison’s success, Squire noted, it certainly provided crucial assistance.
“He became a member at the table when these partnerships and the infusion of dollars really set him up on a really strong trajectory,” he said. “It’s quite amazing.”
Eventually, the “Flyboys” disaster faded from people’s memories regarding Skydance. Despite some setbacks, including a failed “Terminator” franchise reboot, a series of “Mission: Impossible” movies consistently showcased Cruise and drew audiences to theaters. Successful projects like “Grace and Frankie” on Netflix provided the company access to streaming television.
A series of victories led to speculation about which major corporation might acquire Skydance.
Instead, Skydance became the acquirer.
Following years of collaboration with Paramount, the companies combined last year, and subsequently, Ellison embarked on an aggressive acquisition campaign, announcing deals ranging from Ultimate Fighting Championship streaming rights to an agreement with the “Stranger Things” creators, whom he recruited away from Netflix.
Meanwhile, although the much larger Netflix appeared likely to acquire Warner Bros., Ellison’s Skydance persistently pursued its competing bid. On Thursday, Skydance prevailed. Netflix withdrew its offer, leaving regulatory approval as the only remaining obstacle for Skydance.
“This was absolutely a meteoric rise. Two decades from its formation to its current position to become one of the most powerful media companies in the world is nothing less than incredible,” said Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles media law and entertainment attorney. “What Skydance has done over the past two decades has not been accomplished by any other media company in history.”
The Paramount merger brought Skydance control of MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and numerous other networks, including flagship CBS, where the leadership change has created upheaval in the news department. Should the Warner transaction complete, Ellison would oversee a vast media empire encompassing HBO, HGTV, the Food Network, and significant news expansion through CNN — a development that concerns some employees given the family’s perceived alliance with President Donald Trump.
The deal would also provide Paramount, which has struggled recently in theaters, with a studio fresh off an exceptional year. Warner Bros. earned 30 Oscar nominations compared to Paramount’s zero, and captured 21% of domestic box office revenue in 2025. Paramount’s market share stood at merely 6%.
All of this could soon belong to Ellison. The contrast over two decades is remarkable.
The “Flyboys” failure left Ellison so devastated that he once revealed it caused atrial fibrillation requiring hospitalization. However, for someone from a family so wealthy that his father owns most of a Hawaiian island, and possessing what GQ magazine described as “the golden glow of the genetically sparkling,” his dramatic turnaround may not be entirely unexpected. In this comeback tale, Ellison seems perfectly cast for the role.
Ellison has achieved his greatest theatrical successes with recognizable properties from established franchises including “Transformers,” “Scream,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “Paw Patrol.” His personal story of emerging as the unexpected winner may resonate with equally familiar themes.
“Hollywood has seen David-versus-Goliath moments before,” said Vikrant Mathur, co-founder of streaming company Future Today.
LONDON — Air travel throughout the Middle East and beyond faced major disruptions Saturday following a U.S. and Israeli military operation targeting Iran.
Several nations including the United Arab Emirates and Israel shut down their airspace on Saturday, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights. The UAE is headquarters to major international carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways.
Qatar Airways Group announced temporary flight cancellations to and from Doha after Qatari officials also closed their airspace. Aircraft already flying toward Israel were diverted to alternative airports, while travelers waiting at Ben Gurion International Airport were transported back after their departing flights were scrubbed.
Emirates reported that multiple flights were impacted by the UAE airspace shutdown and advised travelers to verify their flight status through online channels. The airline operates from Dubai International Airport, which serves as the world’s busiest international travel hub.
Earlier this week, Netherlands-based KLM had already declared it would halt Tel Aviv service beginning Sunday.
Virgin Atlantic scrapped its London Heathrow to Dubai route and announced it would steer clear of Iraqi airspace, potentially extending flight times for routes to India, the Maldives, Dubai and Riyadh. The carrier was already avoiding Iranian airspace and stated all aircraft would carry extra fuel for potential emergency rerouting.
On social media platform X, Turkish Airlines announced flight suspensions to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan through Monday, while Saturday service to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman was also halted. The carrier warned that more cancellations might follow.
ATHENS – The Greek shipping ministry issued an urgent safety warning Saturday, directing vessels flying the Greek flag to stay clear of critical Middle Eastern waterways following recent military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, according to an official advisory obtained by Reuters.
“The developing situation affects the safety of navigation in the wider Persian Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea,” the official document stated, instructing vessel management companies to enforce maximum security protocols in these regions and at Israeli ports until additional guidance is provided.
The ministry’s warning also expressed concern that tensions could expand into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden areas due to connections between Iran and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group.
Ships operating in these waters were specifically cautioned to watch for possible missile or drone assaults, attacks targeting port infrastructure, hostile interference, electronic jamming, and potential disruptions to onboard navigation equipment.
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, General Dan Caine, are overseeing American military operations against Iran while based at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The Pentagon leader and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are directing the U.S. mission from the Palm Beach resort, where Trump is presently staying, the source confirmed to Reuters on Friday.
LONDON – The United Kingdom declared Saturday that Iran cannot be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons and expressed readiness to protect its interests after military strikes were carried out by the United States and Israel targeting Iran.
According to government sources, Britain did not participate in the military action, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled to convene an emergency COBRA meeting on Saturday to address the situation.
“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution,” a British government spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson further explained, “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.”
British officials emphasized their desire to prevent the situation from escalating into a broader regional conflict, according to the spokesperson’s remarks.
The government indicated that protecting British citizens in the area remains their top concern, with consular services being made available as needed.
Travel advisories were also updated Saturday, with Britain now recommending against all travel to Israel and Palestinian territories, strengthening their previous Friday guidance that had only discouraged non-essential travel to those areas.
Recent satellite imagery has revealed a notable increase in American military aircraft stationed at a key Saudi Arabian airbase as the United States continues building its regional presence while tensions with Iran remain high.
Analysis of high-resolution satellite photos shows that aircraft numbers at Prince Sultan Airbase climbed from 27 planes on February 17 to 43 aircraft by February 21, before declining to 38 by February 25. The Saudi facility has served as a host location for U.S. military operations for many years.
According to William Goodhind, a forensic imagery analyst with Contested Ground who spoke to Reuters, the February 21 satellite image captured 13 Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and six Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft, commonly called AWACS, among 29 total large, swept-wing military planes positioned at the installation.
The earlier February 17 image showed just 11 large, swept-wing aircraft based on analysis conducted by Reuters.
Pentagon officials declined to provide any statement regarding the apparent aircraft buildup, which aligns with standard military policy of not discussing troop or equipment movements publicly. Saudi government representatives also did not respond to requests for comment about the increased activity at the base.
This military positioning occurs as Saudi Arabia, a key American partner in the region, publicly stated last month that it would not permit its territory or airspace to support any military operations targeting Iran. The announcement came as Tehran engaged in indirect diplomatic discussions with Washington on Thursday concerning its nuclear program.
Oman, which has been facilitating communications between the United States and Iran, reported that Thursday’s negotiations showed progress, though no major breakthrough emerged that might prevent potential American military action.
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced Thursday that both nations plan to continue talks following consultations in their respective capitals, with technical discussions set for next week in Vienna.
President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum on February 19, stating Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement, warning that “really bad things” would occur otherwise.
Satellite analysis comparing early February images with January photographs also indicates a broader military equipment and aircraft accumulation throughout the region.
Meanwhile, recent satellite surveillance has captured Iran conducting repairs and reinforcement work at various locations, including a sensitive military facility that Israel reportedly targeted in a 2024 bombing operation.
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is planning to deliver a public statement Saturday morning while American forces conduct military operations against Iran, according to a report from Axios.
The news outlet cited an unnamed government official as the source for information about Trump’s planned remarks. The timing of the address coincides with ongoing U.S. military strikes taking place in Iranian territory.
When contacted for verification, White House officials did not immediately provide a response to requests for comment about the reported address.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting this Saturday with some patchy fog across the peninsula, but don’t let that fool you – it’s going to be a beautiful day once that fog clears out around 8 AM.
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 56 degrees this morning, though temperatures will actually drop to around 49 this afternoon as a cold front approaches. Winds will stay light from the south at 0 to 5 mph, making it a pleasant day to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Tonight, that patchy fog returns with lows dipping to 36 degrees – perfect sweater weather! Looking ahead to Sunday, we’re tracking a chance of light rain with cooler temperatures only reaching 47 degrees. Bundle up Sunday night as we’ll see a significant temperature drop to just 22 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
It’s a great day to enjoy the outdoors before Sunday’s rain moves in. Have a wonderful Saturday, Delmarva, and stay weather-aware!
President Donald Trump has declared the launch of significant military combat operations targeting Iran, as explosions rock the Iranian capital and warning sirens blare across Israel.
Coordinated military strikes involving both Israeli and United States forces have begun hitting targets in Iran, with reports of explosions being heard in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, air raid warning systems have been activated throughout Israel as the situation escalates.
The military action represents a major escalation in tensions between the involved nations, with smoke visible rising above Tehran’s skyline following the reported strikes.
Details about the specific targets and scope of the operations remain limited as the situation continues to develop.
International airlines halted service throughout the Middle East on Saturday following military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that have thrust the region back into armed conflict.
Aviation tracking data revealed Iranian airspace nearly deserted as Israeli forces conducted operations against Iran while U.S. military forces launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. Iran responded by firing multiple missiles in retaliation.
The military escalation has dashed expectations for peaceful negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program disagreement with Western nations and renewed hostilities following recent weeks of American military positioning in the area.
This represents another major disruption to air transportation in the typically high-traffic region as Middle Eastern tensions continue rising. Given that most airlines cannot use Russian and Ukrainian airspace due to ongoing warfare, Middle Eastern routes have gained critical importance for connecting European and Asian destinations.
War zones present growing challenges for airline operations as aerial combat increases risks of accidental or intentional attacks on civilian aircraft. Extended flight paths also consume additional fuel, driving up operational expenses.
Following the attacks, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan shut down their airspace, with flight tracking websites showing aircraft steering clear of these territories.
Multiple Qatar Airways aircraft that departed Saturday morning made circles over Kuwait and Saudi Arabia before heading back toward Qatari airspace, where they remained in holding patterns near Doha, flight tracking data showed.
Russian transportation officials announced Saturday that Russian airlines had ceased operations to both Iran and Israel.
German carrier Lufthansa announced it would cancel Dubai flights Saturday and Sunday while temporarily stopping service to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman through March 7. Air France eliminated flights serving Tel Aviv and Beirut.
Spanish airline Iberia also scrapped Tel Aviv service, while Wizz Air immediately suspended operations to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until the same March 7 date.
Kuwait’s aviation regulators announced all Iran flights would cease indefinitely, state media reported, while Oman Air halted Baghdad service due to regional developments.
The United Arab Emirates implemented a “partial and temporary” airspace closure as a safety measure, according to state news sources.
“Due to the temporary closure of several airspace in the region on 28 February, some flydubai flights have been impacted,” an Emirati airline representative stated.
KLM, Air France-KLM’s Dutch division, moved up its planned suspension of Amsterdam-Tel Aviv service, canceling Saturday’s scheduled flight following the Iran strikes, a company spokesperson confirmed.
The carrier had previously announced Wednesday that flights would stop beginning Sunday, March 1, with only Saturday’s single Tel Aviv flight originally remaining on the schedule.
Virgin Atlantic decided to temporarily bypass Iraqi airspace, causing some flight path changes. Qatar Airways announced it had temporarily paused air traffic as a precautionary step.
International airlines scrambled to cancel dozens of flights throughout the Middle East on Saturday following military action by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, creating fresh turmoil across the volatile region.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that no commercial aircraft were operating over Iranian and Iraqi airspace Saturday morning as carriers prioritized safety amid the developing conflict.
Here’s how major airlines responded to the crisis:
Air France KLM
Air France grounded all Saturday departures and arrivals for Tel Aviv, Israel and Beirut, Lebanon routes.
KLM moved up its planned suspension of Amsterdam-Tel Aviv service, scrapping Saturday’s scheduled departure. The Dutch carrier had initially planned to halt the route beginning Sunday but accelerated the timeline due to deteriorating conditions. Only a single Tel Aviv flight had been on Saturday’s schedule.
IndiGo
The carrier stated it was closely tracking developments in the region.
Japan Airlines
According to Nikkei reports, Japan Airlines scrapped its Saturday Tokyo Haneda to Doha route along with the March 1 return journey.
Lufthansa
Germany’s flagship airline halted all service to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman through March 7, while Dubai flights were suspended for Saturday and Sunday only.
The carrier also announced it would avoid airspace belonging to Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran until March 7.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic implemented temporary Iraqi airspace avoidance measures, forcing predetermined flight path changes and eliminating Saturday’s VS400 London Heathrow to Dubai service.
Wizz Air
The budget carrier immediately suspended all operations to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until March 7.
Company officials indicated they would continuously evaluate operational choices and modify flight schedules based on how the situation develops.
Military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran on Saturday have intensified tensions across the Middle East, with President Donald Trump pledging to eliminate Tehran’s missile capabilities and block its nuclear weapons development.
International leaders have issued varied responses to the weekend attacks:
DMITRY MEDVEDEV, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIA’S SECURITY COUNCIL
“The peacemaker once again showed his face,” Medvedev, a former Russian president, said. “All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation. No one doubted it. No one really wanted to negotiate anything.”
“The question is who has more patience to wait for the inglorious end of their enemy. The USA is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Let’s see in 100 years…”
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.”
Weather officials from the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly, New Jersey office have issued a special weather statement for the Delaware region early Thursday morning.
The weather advisory was released at 4:17 AM Eastern Standard Time on February 28th, according to official records.
Residents across the First State should stay alert for potential weather developments and monitor local forecasts for any updates or changes to conditions.
The National Weather Service continues to track weather patterns affecting the mid-Atlantic region and will provide additional information as conditions warrant.
Former President Donald Trump announced in an 8-minute video posted to his Truth Social platform that American military forces have initiated significant combat operations against Iran. Trump stated the action targets Iran’s ongoing nuclear weapons development and urged Iranian citizens to “take over your government.”
The following is Trump’s complete statement:
“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.”
“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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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. 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.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder mounted an impressive comeback from a 16-point deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime action Friday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his presence felt immediately upon returning from an abdominal strain that had sidelined him since February 3rd, contributing 36 points to help Oklahoma City erase their early deficit. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren dominated the boards with a personal-best 21 rebounds while adding 15 points to the winning effort.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander sitting out the extra period, the Thunder found success through Alex Caruso, who built on his strong late-game performance to finish with 12 points overall.
Denver’s Jamal Murray put together a spectacular offensive display with 39 points, including three long-range shots in the game’s final 30 seconds. Nikola Jokic nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists, while Christian Braun matched Jokic’s scoring output with 23 points.
Pistons 122, Cavaliers 119 (OT)
Detroit’s Jalen Duren delivered a dominant performance with 33 points and 16 rebounds, leading the home team back from a nine-point late-regulation deficit to capture an overtime victory against Cleveland.
Cade Cunningham contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out during regulation for Detroit, which has now captured seven victories in their last eight contests. Ausar Thompson provided additional support with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Cleveland was paced by Jarrett Allen’s 25 points and nine rebounds, but the Cavaliers have now dropped three of their past four games. The team played shorthanded without their regular starting backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell (groin injury) and James Harden (thumb injury).
Celtics 148, Nets 111
Boston dominated the second half to cruise past visiting Brooklyn, with Nikola Vucevic recording 28 points and 11 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action.
After holding just a six-point advantage midway through the third quarter, the Celtics exploded for an 82-54 second-half scoring advantage. Jaylen Brown contributed 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Boston, which connected on 66.7% of their field goal attempts while securing their 10th victory in 12 outings.
Brooklyn was led by Michael Porter Jr.’s 18 points, with Danny Wolf adding 16 points as the Nets extended their losing streak to seven games.
Grizzlies 124, Mavericks 105
Memphis received 25 points from Cam Spencer and a career-high performance from Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who recorded his first professional double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, as the visiting Grizzlies handed Dallas their seventh consecutive home defeat.
Scotty Pippen Jr. provided 15 points for Memphis, which ended a three-game skid. GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells each scored 12 points in the victory.
Dallas received 16 points and eight rebounds from Brandon Williams, but the Mavericks have now lost 12 of their previous 14 contests. Daniel Gafford was efficient with 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Knicks 127, Bucks 98
Jalen Brunson exploded for 22 first-quarter points on his way to a game-high 27, powering visiting New York to a convincing win over Milwaukee.
OG Anunoby contributed 24 points while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds for New York, which shot an impressive 21-for-42 (50%) from three-point range. Landry Shamet scored 15 points, Josh Hart added 12, and Mikal Bridges and Mohamed Diawara each contributed 10 points.
Milwaukee was led by Myles Turner’s 19 points, with Kyle Kuzma adding 17 and Bobby Portis contributing 14. Ryan Rollins scored 13 points while Kevin Porter Jr. recorded 11 points and 10 assists for the Bucks, who had previously won eight of their last 10 games.
BEIRUT – Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a firm warning Saturday, stating he will not tolerate anyone pulling his nation into military conflicts that could jeopardize the country’s stability and cohesion. The statement appeared to be directed at Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant organization operating within Lebanon.
Following military strikes conducted by Israel and the United States against Iran, Salam acknowledged the escalating tensions across the region and urged Lebanese citizens to prioritize their homeland above all else. He emphasized the need for wisdom and national loyalty during these turbulent times.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah organization has maintained an adversarial relationship with Israel since Iranian Revolutionary Guards established the group in 1982, engaging in multiple armed confrontations over the decades.
According to recent reports, Israeli officials have issued threats to Lebanon, warning of severe retaliation against civilian targets including airports if Hezbollah becomes involved in any potential conflict between the United States and Iran.
“I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity,” Salam declared in his official statement.
During the 2024 conflict, Israel inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah’s operations, eliminating leader Hassan Nasrallah and thousands of militants while destroying substantial portions of the group’s weapons stockpile.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that America has launched significant military action against Iran, cautioning that U.S. forces may face casualties during the operations.
The military strikes target Iranian missile installations and aim to eliminate the country’s naval capabilities, according to Trump’s statement. These actions come after ongoing threats from both the United States and Israel to take military action if Iran continued advancing its nuclear weapons development and ballistic missile capabilities.
In a video posted to Truth Social, Trump stated: “I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill.”
He continued: “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 directly addressed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces, urging them to surrender their arms in exchange for protection from prosecution.
Without surrender, Trump indicated their alternative would be “certain death.”
Recent diplomatic efforts between the two nations regarding Iran’s nuclear program concluded unsuccessfully. The latest round of negotiations took place Thursday without reaching any agreement.
“Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” Trump explained.
