Iniaes

Israel Says It Intercepted a New Wave of Iranian Missiles and Drones

Israel reported intercepting a fresh barrage of missiles and drones launched from Iran, with sirens sounding across multiple regions as air defenses engaged incoming threats. The Israel Defense Forces said the renewed attack follows earlier launches and comes amid escalating military exchanges involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.

OpenAI to Deploy AI Models on U.S. Military Classified Networks

OpenAI said it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its large language models on military classified networks. The announcement came hours after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to stop using AI developed by rival Anthropic.

Israel and Iran Exchange Missile Strikes as Israel Reviews Impact of Attack

Israeli strikes inside Iran were still being assessed on Saturday as communications disruptions spread in parts of Iran, while missile launches triggered sirens in Israel, according to media reports and monitoring groups. Early assessments suggested the results of Israel’s attack were not yet clear as military activity in the region continued.

Israel Says It Carried Out Joint Strikes With the United States on Targets in Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States launched a joint military operation against targets in Iran, announcing the action in a video address shortly after the strikes began. He said the operation was intended to counter what he described as an existential threat.

Man Charged After Defacement of Churchill Statue

A man has been charged after a statue of Winston Churchill was defaced. Caspar San Giorgio, 38, who has no fixed address, is due to appear in court on Saturday.

Trump Says the United States Has Begun Major Combat Operations Against Iran

President Donald Trump said the United States has started “major combat operations” in Iran, announcing on social media from his Florida golf club that the military is targeting what he described as imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He cast the action as a defensive mission aimed at protecting the American people.

Gulf countries keep airspace open amid reported Iranian strike concerns

Airspace over several Middle Eastern countries that host U.S. military bases remained open on Saturday despite rising regional tensions, according to Flightradar data. Civilian flights continued operating over Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and nearby states as concerns grew about a possible Iranian retaliatory strike.

Iran Launches Ballistic Missiles Toward Israel Following Strikes

Early Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said it detected Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward Israel, describing them as an initial retaliatory wave after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Israeli early-warning systems identified the launches, and air defenses were put on heightened alert across the country.

U.S. and Israel conduct coordinated strikes on Iranian military sites

Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes early Saturday, according to official statements and media reports. President Donald Trump called the operation a “massive and ongoing” military campaign aimed at countering what he described as threats from Iran.

United States launches military strikes in Iran

President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has begun what he called “major combat operations” inside Iran, describing the strikes as a response to alleged imminent threats from the Iranian government. He announced the action in a social media video as regional tensions rose and air raid sirens sounded across Israel.

Famous Birthdays on Feb. 28: Ali Larter and Bernadette Peters

Feb. 28 marks notable birthdays including actor Ali Larter turning 50 and actor Bernadette Peters turning 78.

SEPTA installs full-height fare gates at Cecil B. Moore

SEPTA has installed full-height gates at the Cecil B. Moore station to curb fare evasion. Officials say they are on track to install more than 200 full-height gates across 14 stations by June.

Philadelphia gets springlike Saturday, then an arctic slap on Sunday

AccuWeather says the region starts the weekend sunny with highs in the 50s. An arctic front is expected Sunday, dragging temperatures down as March begins, because weather loves nothing more than emotional whiplash.

Wendy’s drive-thru incident in Ewing Township leads to charges

Video shows chaos at a Wendy’s drive-thru in Ewing Township. Investigators say three people damaged property inside the restaurant and tried to assault employees with various objects, all three now face charges.

Quakertown police chief on workers’ comp leave amid ongoing investigation

Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree is on workers’ compensation leave, according to the borough solicitor, as an investigation related to a protest continues. McElree also serves as the borough’s city manager, because apparently one high-stress public job was not enough.

Temple University honors Molefi Asante during Black History Month

Temple is recognizing the legacy of Molefi Asante, an 83-year-old scholar and author of more than 100 books, known for pioneering work in African studies and a lifelong focus on race, power, and identity.

Car wash chaos after fencing wire snags machinery in North Carolina

A North Carolina man brought his truck to a car wash with fencing wire still in the bed. It got caught in the spinning equipment and created a messy disruption, proof that “just send it” is not a maintenance plan.

Missing emails flagged in audit at Lord Mandelson-founded lobbying firm

An internal review at Global Counsel found a significant number of Lord Mandelson’s business emails appear to be missing as the company entered administration before the audit was completed. The review followed plans to release tens of thousands of communications from his time as the UK ambassador to Washington. Administrators say they have not established how the emails disappeared, some remain accessible, and the firm’s electronic records are now held by administrators.

Pentagon dispute escalates with Anthropic over AI safety controls

The Trump administration is escalating a dispute with AI company Anthropic after it refused to relax safety controls on its Claude model. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Anthropic has been designated a “supply chain risk,” a move that could derail classified AI deployments and create capability gaps lasting months, which is a breathtaking strategy if your goal is to lose time and gain drama.

Sixers and Flyers pick Levy Restaurants for new arena hospitality

Sixers and Flyers officials say they selected Levy Restaurants as the hospitality partner for their new arena, choosing Levy over Philadelphia-based Aramark to handle food and hospitality services.

Woman arrested after fatal shooting and stabbing in South Philadelphia

Police say a 30-year-old woman has been arrested as investigators look into a Friday night incident in a South Philadelphia apartment where another woman was shot and stabbed to death.

South Korean film revenue and admissions reportedly down 40% in 2025

Industry data released Thursday shows revenue and admissions for South Korean films fell by about 40% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery announce $110 billion deal

Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed they agreed to a $110 billion deal, per a joint news release, because apparently the only thing more unstoppable than streaming losses is executive confidence.

Kim Jong Un says North Korea will stop treating South Korea as “fellow countrymen”

Kim Jong Un said North Korea will permanently stop viewing South Korea as “fellow countrymen” and claimed there is “nothing to discuss,” further undercutting Seoul’s outreach efforts. Diplomacy, now with extra doors slammed for emphasis.

Menlo Security’s new CEO bets on browser-based defenses for agentic AI

Menlo Security’s new CEO, former Mandiant executive Bill Robbins, says the company will focus on securing agentic AI runtimes through the browser, using web-session visibility to help prevent prompt injection, malware, and data loss, while still chasing 40%+ growth and nudging the business toward profitability. Ambitious, which in tech is a synonym for “hold my burn rate.”

Trump administration orders agencies to stop using Anthropic tech amid Pentagon dispute

The Trump administration ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology as the Pentagon escalates a dispute over Anthropic refusing to relax safety safeguards on Claude. The standoff could disrupt planned classified AI deployments and create months-long capability gaps across defense and contractor networks, because nothing says “national readiness” like a procurement tantrum.

RSAC 2026 highlights agentic AI, incident response, and expanded community programming

RSAC Conference 2026 marks its 35th anniversary next month with new community spaces, expanded AI programming, and a global keynote lineup. The agenda includes agentic AI, incident response, international speakers, and hands-on labs, which is a nice way of saying everyone is still trying to patch reality in real time.

Gambit Security raises $61 million for enterprise resilience platform

Gambit Security raised $61 million from Spark Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Cyberstarts to launch a resilience platform aimed at giving CISOs real-time visibility into resilience risks, continuous monitoring, automated remediation, and hybrid infrastructure management amid AI-enabled cyberattacks. Translation, more dashboards, more automation, and one more vendor promising to make chaos “manageable.”

OpenAI raises $110 billion in new funding round

OpenAI reportedly raised $110 billion in its third funding round, including a combined $100 billion from Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank, about double what it raised in 2025. At this point “funding round” is less finance and more weather event.

Three wanted after Wendy’s drive-thru incident in Ewing Township

Police say three people are wanted after an incident at a Wendy’s drive-thru in Ewing Township, where they allegedly damaged property inside the restaurant and tried to assault employees using various items. Employees deserve hazard pay for surviving both the lunch rush and whatever this was.

Luigi Mangione will not face death penalty in federal case tied to UnitedHealthcare executive killing

Luigi Mangione, 27, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024, will not face the death penalty in the federal case. Prosecutors said they will not challenge a ruling that the charges, as filed, do not qualify for capital punishment because the underlying offense is stalking, not a qualifying “crime of violence.” Mangione pleaded not guilty, faces a possible life sentence, has a federal trial set for September, and a separate state murder trial scheduled for June.

UK private rents top £1,000 in more areas, but price growth may be slowing

Private renting has become significantly more expensive over the past five years, with monthly costs now topping £1,000 in a growing number of areas. Tenants may be starting to see the pace of increases slow, which is the housing market’s version of saying, “We are only sprinting, not accelerating into a wall.”

HMRC reminds crypto traders, yes, the taxman still exists

HMRC issued a fresh warning that profits from cryptocurrency can trigger Capital Gains Tax if total gains exceed the £3,000 annual allowance in a tax year. It said gains above the threshold must be reported, and “disposals” include selling for cash, swapping tokens, paying with crypto, or gifting it, with exceptions like transfers to a spouse or civil partner and donations to charity. HMRC also told investors to keep detailed transaction records and report gains via Self Assessment or its real-time Capital Gains Tax service.

CISA leadership roulette continues during cuts and churn

Amid ongoing budget cuts, shutdown disruptions, and months of staff turnover, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is changing leadership again. Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala is leaving the role to take a senior strategy position at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CISA.

HHS warns electronic health records are a growing cyber target

HHS is warning that electronic health record systems are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks and other breaches. It is urging healthcare organizations to take a proactive preparedness approach to better safeguard patient records.

EU regulator backs Moderna combined flu and COVID-19 shot

The European Medicines Agency said it has recommended granting EU marketing authorization for Moderna’s combined mRNA flu and COVID-19 vaccine, mCombriax. If approved, it would be the first combined respiratory virus vaccine authorized in the European Union.

Memphis carjacking leaves mother and child injured, two arrested

Police in Memphis say Kristin Gillia went inside a Burger King on Winchester Road to fix a missing-fries order, leaving two of her children in a 2007 Ford Edge she had purchased four days earlier. The children ran in reporting someone was stealing the vehicle, and Gillia rushed back outside, where she was allegedly pushed away as the suspects drove off, reportedly running over her foot. Police say one child was pulled from the SUV and thrown to the ground. Authorities arrested Alexis Kearney, 31, and Antonio Alexander, 25, with Kearney charged with carjacking and Alexander facing theft- and assault-related charges. A gun was also reportedly found at the scene. Gillia and one child were treated at a hospital.

Quakertown school board grilled after anti-ICE walkout ends in arrests

Quakertown parents and community members pressed the Quakertown Community School District for accountability after a student anti-ICE walkout ended in a violent clash with police and arrests. Critics said the high school’s last-minute cancellation, after a reported threat, failed to anticipate students would still leave campus and left them without a safe plan. While some speakers backed the district and police, many condemned officers’ conduct and focused on Police Chief Scott McElree after videos appeared to show him confronting students in plain clothes and putting one in a chokehold, as calls for his resignation continued.

Celebrity “diva at the Super Bowl” claim floats around, with a name attached

A blind item alleges that a well-known actress acted like a diva at the Super Bowl, with multiple people reportedly saying she was rude, yelled, or behaved poorly on four separate occasions. The post identifies the actress as Emma Roberts.

Tuxedo cat rescued from a roof in Maine

Firefighters in Maine rescued a tuxedo cat that climbed onto a steep house roof and refused to come down.

Philadelphia City Council Recognizes Temple Student for Coverage of Anti-ICE Protest in Minnesota

Philadelphia City Council recognized a Temple University student for helping cover an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. The student was charged alongside journalist Don Lemon in connection with that coverage.

NFL Draft prospect Fernando Mendoza says failure and harsh self-criticism motivated his rise

Fernando Mendoza finished his college career with an unbeaten record, but says his progress was fueled by earlier failures and what he calls a “terrible” view of his own performance, pushing him to improve into a top NFL Draft prospect.

OCI Energy Secures $394 Million to Finance Texas Solar Project

OCI Energy, the U.S. affiliate of South Korea’s OCI Holdings, said its joint venture with Arava Power has secured nearly $400 million in financing for Project SunRoper, a solar energy development in Texas.

Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, Welcomes Three Blue Penguin Chicks

Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, is celebrating the arrival of three blue penguin chicks, which hatched during the first week of February.

NASA Delays and Restructures Artemis Moon Landing Plans

NASA has revised its Artemis program, removing the planned lunar landing from Artemis 3 and pushing the next moon landing attempts to 2028 at the earliest. After Artemis 1’s uncrewed flight in 2022 and delays to the crewed Artemis 2 mission, Artemis 3—now targeted for mid-2027—will instead focus on testing docking with SpaceX’s Starship and/or Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander in low Earth orbit and evaluating new spacesuits. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman cited long gaps between missions, high costs, and the need for more incremental objectives as reasons for the changes.

Essential Beauty Products for the Oscars Red Carpet Season

Red carpet season is spotlighting bold lipstick, glowing skin, and polished, high-end hair looks. The focus is on the standout products behind these attention-grabbing trends.

Wholesale Prices Rose More Than Twice the Dow Estimate in January

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that wholesale prices increased in January at a rate more than double the Dow Jones consensus estimate.

A virus embedded in gut bacteria may be linked to colorectal cancer

Researchers studying the common gut bacterium Bacteroides fragilis found two previously unknown bacteriophages integrated into its genome that were much more frequent in people with colorectal cancer. In a larger analysis of stool data from 877 people, cancer patients were more than twice as likely to carry these prophages, though the finding is associative and no mechanism is known. The work suggests that strain-level genetics and viruses inside bacteria may matter for understanding risk and could eventually complement stool-based screening, but the study has important sampling and control-group limitations.

Unite calls Leonardo helicopter contract award a win for workers

Unite said the government’s decision to award the New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo’s Yeovil site is a major boost for UK aerospace workers, arguing it protects more than 10,000 skilled jobs across the company, its supply chain, and the regional economy. General secretary Sharon Graham welcomed the decision but criticized delays and a lack of transparency, and renewed demands for the Defence Investment Plan to be fully published and funded, with clear commitments on future combat air and space programmes. Unite is also pushing for additional UK-made defence procurement, including new Typhoon jets, continued domestic Skynet satellite production, and more A400M transport aircraft.

Pentagon shoots down Border Patrol drone; Anthropic refuses Pentagon demand for unrestricted AI access

The U.S. military shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone over Fort Hancock, Texas, after labeling it “seemingly threatening,” prompting calls in Congress for an independent investigation and improved interagency coordination. Separately, Anthropic rejected a Pentagon deadline to provide unrestricted access to its Claude AI model, saying its safety safeguards and limits on uses such as autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance are non-negotiable as talks continue. U.S. officials also confirmed an American was among four people killed in a deadly confrontation involving a Florida-registered speedboat and Cuban authorities.

Brady Tkachuk Calls White House TikTok Video Fake After Alleged Anti-Canada Insult

U.S. hockey player Brady Tkachuk said a White House TikTok video is “clearly fake” and wrongly portrays him as making an anti-Canada insult.

Finnish border communities face ongoing economic losses after Russian border closure

More than two years after Finland closed its border with Russia, nearby Finnish communities continue to see serious economic strain as local businesses lose revenue once tied to cross-border activity.

Reporter says the Gorton and Denton by-election signals a rising focus on identity politics

PoliticsHome reporter Tom Scotson told GB News that the Gorton and Denton by-election reflects a growing trend of parties using identity-based appeals and symbolic gestures to win votes. He cited past examples of politicians courting religious communities and argued the approach is likely to continue if it remains electorally effective and faces little ideological pushback.

Can Europe reduce its reliance on Visa and Mastercard? MEPs delay talks on the digital euro

Can Europe break free of Visa and Mastercard? That question is hanging over stalled negotiations as MEPs struggle to agree a position on the ECB-backed digital euro. Berlin is pressing to move faster, while critics warn the proposal is being watered down as talks drag on.

Teen Sentenced to Prison After Fatally Shooting Friend While Handling a Gun During Video Games

Luka Wade Rasmussen, 19, was sentenced to 10 to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting his 16-year-old friend, Riley Sears, in Casper on Feb. 12, 2025. Prosecutors said Rasmussen was smoking marijuana and playing Madden when he handled a gun, pointed it at Sears, and fired. In court, the district attorney condemned the reckless behavior, while Sears’ father described ongoing grief; the judge also questioned the lack of adult supervision in the home. Investigators said Rasmussen initially claimed the gun went off accidentally, but witnesses and social media photos indicated he had a pattern of pointing firearms at others, and police said he hid the gun behind a shed after the shooting.

Use of preferred pronouns in rape trials raises concerns about witness testimony

The piece argues that requiring witnesses in a rape trial to use an accused person’s preferred pronouns—such as compelling a witness to refer to an alleged rapist as “she”—could interfere with how witnesses describe events and should not be mandated in court.

Iranian Security Agents Block Medical Care for Injured Protesters, Doctors Say

Iranian doctors report that plainclothes security agents are stopping them from treating protesters who are critically injured, while also harassing hospital staff. They say dozens of doctors have been detained for providing medical care.

Anthropic Resists Pentagon Pressure on AI Safeguards as Deadline Nears

Anthropic and the Trump administration are at an impasse as Pentagon officials push the company to relax its AI safety and ethics policies, warning that refusal could harm Anthropic’s military-related business as a deadline approaches.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Calls Hungary’s Claims About Ukraine Pipeline Nonsense

Lithuanian Prime Minister Olga Ruginienė dismissed Hungary’s statements about a Ukraine pipeline as “nonsense” in an interview on Euronews’ Europe Today, urging EU unity as Hungary blocks new sanctions on Russia and additional support for Ukraine.

Paramount Makes an Aggressive Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount shareholders appear to have gained the upper hand in the contest for Warner Bros. Discovery, with the company’s board presenting an unusually expansive offer. The proposed terms are described as complex and packed with concessions, requiring careful review to fully understand.

BLACKPINK Returns With New EP, "Deadline"

BLACKPINK released its third EP, "Deadline," on Friday, marking the group’s first full comeback in more than three years.

Green Party victory signals major political shift

The Green victory changes everything after Hannah Spencer won the Gorton and Denton by-election by a wide margin, beating Labour into third place while Reform finished second and the Conservatives failed to keep their deposit. The result is portrayed as a major break in a seat Labour had held since 1931, exposing a fractured Labour coalition across Denton’s post-industrial white working-class voters and Gorton’s diverse, younger, inner-urban electorate. The outcome is framed as evidence that the Greens can consolidate much of the left-leaning vote while Reform consolidates parts of the right, leaving Labour squeezed amid disputes over policy, identity, and strategy.

Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square vandalised by pro-Palestine protesters

Winston Churchill’s statue in Parliament Square was vandalised overnight, with graffiti including “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine,” as well as messages such as “Never again is Now,” “Globalise the Intifada,” and “Greetings from the Hague.” The defacement was reported to have occurred around 3am; one person was arrested and cleaners later removed the graffiti. Conservative deputy chair Matt Vickers condemned the incident, and police were contacted for comment.

Greens win their first Westminster by-election as Labour falls behind Reform UK

The Greens won their first-ever Westminster by-election. Labour, which had taken the seat with more than 50% of the vote in 2024, finished behind Reform UK.

Notable birthdays for Feb. 27 include Joanne Woodward and Lindsey Morgan

Feb. 27 marks the birthdays of actor Joanne Woodward, turning 96, and actor Lindsey Morgan, turning 36.

On Feb. 27, Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was assassinated

On Feb. 27, 2015, Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was killed after being shot.

Connectivity Issue Under Investigation in London (EU-West)

As of Feb. 27 at 07:59 UTC, the team is investigating an emerging service issue affecting connectivity in the EU-West (London) region and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

South Korea and the U.S. to Hold 22 Field Training Drills During Freedom Shield Exercise

South Korea and the United States will carry out 22 field training drills as planned during their annual spring joint military exercise, Freedom Shield, scheduled for next month, officials said Friday.

Andy Farrell issues statement after criticism of ‘disrespectful’ claims ahead of Wales match

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell issued a statement on Thursday evening after a week of growing speculation and criticism, with the team preparing for their upcoming game against Wales.

Estonian Prime Minister Says Putin Risks Losing Power if He Ends the War in Ukraine

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Vladimir Putin cannot afford to end Russia’s war in Ukraine without jeopardizing his hold on power. Speaking on Euronews’ Europe Today, she urged the EU to unlock €90 billion in aid and increase investment in defence.

Pakistan Declares Open War on Afghanistan and Launches Strikes on Kabul

Pakistan declared an “open war” with Afghanistan and said it launched strikes on Kabul after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night in response to earlier Pakistani air strikes. The escalation follows months of repeated clashes along the border.

Quakertown School Board Meeting Turns Tense After Police Clash During Protest

Tensions ran high at a Quakertown school board meeting following a protest that involved a clash with police, as speakers sharply criticized district officials over their handling of the student-led walkout and the events leading up to it.

Matt Goodwin says Reform UK rejects sectarian politics after by-election loss

Matt Goodwin said Reform UK “rejects sectarian politics” after losing the Gorton and Denton by-election to the Greens, arguing that “sectarianism” and alleged illegal “family voting” influenced the result. He noted Reform UK won 10,578 votes, claimed the party more than doubled its vote in a Labour stronghold, and called for a wider debate about sectarianism’s impact on democracy.

UK Greens beat the far right in a key election as Labour drops to third place

In a key UK election, the Green Party outperformed the far right while Labour slumped to a damaging third-place finish. Two insurgent parties, despite holding only a handful of MPs between them, combined to push the governing party into a humiliating defeat.

Iran Reports Progress as Latest US Talks Conclude

Iran said “good progress” was made as Oman-mediated talks with the United States ended, after President Donald Trump warned of possible military action and set a 15-day deadline for Tehran to reach an agreement.

House Democrats say the Pentagon downed a CBP drone over Texas

Democratic House lawmakers said the Department of Defense shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone near El Paso, Texas.

Chinese state media revives claim that US crackdown on Binance is a bid for global financial dominance

A Chinese state outlet again alleged that the United States stages or exploits major incidents to smear China, arguing that Washington’s enforcement actions against Binance and other cryptocurrency offenders are really aimed at propping up the dollar, shoring up federal finances, and tightening U.S. control over the global financial system.

Wesley Hunt Cites Vance and Tim Scott to Defend Missed House Votes

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) defended his missed House votes by pointing to missed Senate votes by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and by JD Vance during his time representing Ohio. Hunt addressed questions about his voting record during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show,” after host Will Cain raised the issue.

Instagram will notify parents if teens repeatedly search for suicide-related terms

Instagram said it will begin alerting parents when teens repeatedly search for terms clearly linked to suicide or self-harm.

Northeast Philadelphia residents call for traffic safety changes after a car crashes into a home

Northeast Philadelphia residents are urging officials to make Route 63 safer after a car slammed into a house. Neighbors say drivers often fail to slow down when entering the residential stretch, and that cars, trucks, and even tractor-trailers regularly leave the roadway.

Lawmakers say U.S. military used a laser to bring down a border patrol drone in Texas

Democratic lawmakers said the U.S. military used a laser on Thursday to disable a Customs and Border Protection drone in Texas, leading to a temporary airspace closure near the U.S.-Mexico border. Reps. Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and Andre Carson said the Pentagon reportedly carried out the action.

Vance Says U.S. Strikes on Iran Would Not Lead to a Prolonged Middle East War

Vice President Vance defended the possibility of U.S. military strikes on Iran, saying there is no chance they would trigger a longer war in the Middle East. He argued the strikes would serve as a deterrent aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Hillary Clinton tells House panel she was unaware of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes

Hillary Clinton told a House panel she did not know about Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal conduct and urged that President Trump be questioned under oath about his past association with Epstein.

Pakistan Says It Is in an "Open War" With Afghanistan After Airstrikes Hit Kabul

Pakistan has declared what it calls an "open war" against Afghanistan after its military launched airstrikes on Kabul, with large explosions reported in the capital. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had tried to avoid conflict but claimed the country’s "patience has run out."

Instagram Investigates AI-Generated Profiles That Sexualize Disabled People

Instagram is investigating a network of AI-generated accounts that appear to impersonate people with disabilities, including Down syndrome, using that imagery to attract attention and followers. Some profiles have amassed thousands of followers while presenting fabricated conditions and identities.

Netflix declines to match Paramount Skydance bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Netflix said it will not raise its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery to match Paramount Skydance’s latest bid, arguing the price would no longer be financially attractive. WBD’s board has labeled Paramount Skydance’s $31-per-share proposal a superior offer, with Paramount CEO David Ellison touting its value and speed to closing. Netflix said a merger would have strengthened the industry but was only worth pursuing at the right price. Any deal would require federal approval, and Paramount’s proposal includes a $7 billion regulatory breakup fee and an agreement to cover a $2.8 billion breakup fee WBD owes Netflix.

Polling expert says Gorton and Denton by-election signals major political shift

Polling expert Martin Baxter, founder of Electoral Calculus, gave a snap assessment as polls closed in the Gorton and Denton by-election, warning the seat—previously Labour’s 38th-safest at the general election—appeared to be under threat and could be lost. He also suggested the result pointed to a wider realignment, with Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Party together potentially falling below 50% of the vote.

Warner Bros. Discovery Says Paramount’s Takeover Offer Beats Netflix Proposal

Warner Bros. Discovery indicated Paramount’s takeover bid is more attractive than a potential deal with Netflix, as Netflix is unwilling to increase its offer for WBD’s studio and streaming assets.

Radnor Township Middle School aide arrested on child sexual assault charge in Texas

A Radnor Township Middle School employee has been arrested on a child sexual assault charge filed in Texas.

Kansas law requires transgender residents’ IDs to list sex at birth, affecting existing documents

Kansas has begun enforcing a new law requiring state-issued identification for transgender residents to reflect their sex at birth, a change that is leading to the invalidation of some existing driver’s licenses and birth certificates. The law took effect Thursday.

UK winter not close to a record despite floods and storms

The UK winter was not close to a record despite floods and storms, with rainfall varying widely: some areas saw an exceptionally wet season and serious flooding, while others were drier than average.

Hillary Clinton says Republicans asked about UFOs and ‘Pizzagate’ during Epstein-related deposition

Hillary Clinton said that during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee deposition tied to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, House Republicans questioned her about UFOs and the “Pizzagate” conspiracy. She criticized the line of questioning as unusual, especially toward the end of the session.

Freire Charter School runs renewable energy competition

Freire Charter School is hosting a hands-on competition that pushes students to apply renewable energy concepts in an energy lab setting.

UK defence officials review whether Epstein used RAF bases

The UK Ministry of Defence launched a review of records and emails to determine whether convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein used RAF military bases during visits to the United Kingdom.

eBay to cut about 800 jobs

eBay said it plans to cut roughly 800 jobs, about 6% of its workforce. The online retailer employs more than 12,000 people.

Damar Hamlin co-hosts heart health event in Center City

NFL player Damar Hamlin partnered with Abbott HeartMates to recognize people living with heart conditions, and the caregivers who support them, with encouragement and hope.

Nonprofit initiative focuses on feeding children through community support

Mark Wainwright says his local nonprofit is making a difference with “It Takes A Village To Feed One Child,” emphasizing community support to help feed children.

Afghanistan and Pakistan trade claims after cross-border attack

The Taliban says Afghanistan launched a retaliatory attack on Pakistan. Pakistan says it is responding to what it calls unprovoked fire, while both sides claim casualties inflicted on the other.

Virginia House Democrats push redistricting amendment as judge blocks referendum

Virginia Democrats in the U.S. House are urging voters to back a constitutional amendment to allow redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. A state judge has temporarily blocked the referendum, and the emergency injunction remains in place until March 18, after early voting is set to begin.

NYPD arrests man accused of hitting officers with snow and ice

The NYPD said it arrested a 27-year-old man accused of hitting police officers with snow and ice during a snowball fight.

Astronaut Mike Fincke identifies as crew member with medical issue on Crew-11

Astronaut Mike Fincke said he was the crew member who experienced a medical issue during NASA’s Crew-11 mission, prompting NASA to bring the team back from the International Space Station earlier than planned.

Venezuela seeks sanctions relief and new oil investment to boost output

Venezuela’s effort to regain oil relevance is being shaped by a push for sanctions relief, renewed engagement with Washington, and a new hydrocarbons law intended to cut bureaucracy and clarify terms for foreign investors through joint ventures, licenses, and production-sharing agreements. Officials say capacity is about 1.1 million bpd and claim 1.5 million bpd is achievable this year, with PDVSA targeting 3 million bpd within five years. Those goals would require major capital, technology, and infrastructure upgrades. Companies and Gulf-state investors are exploring opportunities, but political risk, corruption, red tape, and legal uncertainty could still deter investment.

Microsoft updates open-source DirectX Shader Compiler

Microsoft released a new version of its open-source DirectX Shader Compiler, adding production support for Shader Model 6.9 and improving the SPIR-V back end to better interoperate with Vulkan drivers.