UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will not join US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran, rejecting “regime change from the skies” and stressing adherence to international law. He authorised limited US use of British bases for specific defensive strikes aimed at Iranian missile launchers and storage depots to protect British lives and allies. Starmer said the decision was deliberate, citing lessons from Iraq and the need for a negotiated settlement over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Britain continues defensive operations in the region; RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone and families there are being relocated for safety.
Sources: (gov.uk)
On March 2, 2026, President Donald Trump today awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers: Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds (posthumous), Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (posthumous), and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson. Edmonds was cited for defying Nazi orders as a WWII POW to protect about 200 Jewish-American prisoners. Ollis was honored for shielding a wounded Polish officer from a suicide bomber during a 2013 attack in Afghanistan. Richardson received the medal for valor during a September 14, 1968, Vietnam reconnaissance mission in which he rescued dozens, directed airstrikes, and continued fighting despite wounds. (apnews.com)
Newly released footage shows Alex Pretti spitting at federal agents and kicking a Border Patrol SUV during a January 13 protest, footage verified by BBC and confirmed by Pretti’s family. The clip, circulated by The News Movement and picked up, shows officers tackling the man and later retrieving a visible handgun from his waistband; Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol on January 24 during a separate operation. The Trump administration cited the video to challenge portrayals of Pretti as a peaceful protester, with President Trump highlighting the footage and criticizing local leaders’ handling of protests. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RIGHT. (yahoo.com)
President Trump defended federal agents after Border Patrol fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, calling Pretti a “gunman” and accusing local Democrats of inciting insurrection. (aljazeera.com) Bystander video released publicly appears to show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, contradicting DHS claims he approached agents with a handgun and fueling protests, legal challenges, and calls for accountability. (yahoo.com) Minnesota Democrats urged DHS and ICE to withdraw and wind down the operation, and state officials sought court intervention to halt it. (dhs.techmis.com) DHS says it is leading the investigation while reviewing body camera and bystander footage and widening outrage. (washingtonpost.com)
Social-media posts claim Virginia residents are panicking after electricity bills nearly tripled in January 2026, with one resident saying she now pays $600 a month and blaming “Democrat‑approved” energy rates. (independentsentinel.com) Officials present a different picture: the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved modest changes to Dominion Energy’s rates — $11.24 monthly base increase effective January 1, 2026 and an additional $2.36 in 2027 — along with fuel‑rate adjustments and a new data‑center rate class slated for 2027. (cardinalnews.org) Regulators and utilities say typical residential bills will rise in the low double‑digits, not triple, though data‑center demand and wholesale‑price spikes are raising concerns. (wvva.com)
On January 29, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters he will name his nominee for Federal Reserve chair on the morning of January 30, 2026, signaling a move to replace Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May. (apnews.com) Trump’s search, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reportedly narrowed to Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, Rick Rieder and Kevin Hassett, with Warsh widely seen as the frontrunner. (apnews.com) The move has intensified debate about Fed independence after Trump’s public pressure on Powell and reports of a federal inquiry into Powell’s handling of a costly Fed headquarters renovation. (apnews.com) Markets and lawmakers are watching closely. (ft.com)
Elon Musk voiced strong support as House Republicans unveiled the “Make Elections Great Again Act,” a sweeping federal election bill introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil. (forbes.com) The proposal would require photo ID to vote, mandate that mail‑in ballots be received by the close of polls on Election Day, require proof of citizenship to register, and force auditable paper ballots for federal contests. (washingtonpost.com) It would ban ballot‑harvesting and prohibit universal vote‑by‑mail programs, tighten routine voter‑roll maintenance, and condition federal election funds on compliance. (foxnews.com) Democrats and voting‑rights groups warn the changes could disenfranchise millions and face legal and political challenges ahead of 2026. (apnews.com)
Breaking: Conservative reporter Liz Collin alleged that Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Gov. Tim Walz may have struck an “inside deal” to install Walz in Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she wins Minnesota’s gubernatorial race. (ktsa.com) Klobuchar announced her bid this week; Walz has said he won’t seek elective office again amid a widening welfare-fraud probe. (apnews.com) Under Minnesota law, a governor can appoint a temporary Senate replacement if a vacancy occurs, with a special election to follow. (startribune.com) Collin’s claim is unproven and has been framed as speculation by other outlets; officials have not confirmed any backroom arrangement as alleged. (gvwire.com)
Social media posts claim an Epstein victim says secret tapes showing Donald Trump exist and would force his resignation. (greeknewsondemand.com) The allegation traces to 2016 emails by Sarah Ransome, in which she described videos but later retracted and told The New Yorker she had “invented” the tapes. (newyorker.com) Prosecutors and the FBI say their review found no incriminating “client list” or evidence Epstein blackmailed associates. (opb.org) Major outlets have not independently verified any recordings, and Trump’s spokesperson calls the claims baseless and retracted. (allsides.com) The allegation remains uncorroborated and awaits official evidence or disclosure.
President Trump blasted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over a fraud probe, accusing Walz of complicity and alleging Somali-linked schemes stole at least $19 billion in taxpayer funds and were laundered to Somalia. Trump vowed federal investigators would “find who did it and where the money is,” and urged deportations while singling out Rep. Ilhan Omar. The White House has deployed Homeland Security and ICE resources and amplified arrests and fraud claims. Walz said he welcomes a federal probe, accepted responsibility for oversight failures and abandoned a re-election bid amid scandal. Reports tie the allegations to childcare, housing and Medicaid schemes. (people.com)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will not join US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran, rejecting “regime change from the skies” and stressing adherence to international law. He authorised limited US use of British bases for specific defensive strikes aimed at Iranian missile launchers and storage depots to protect British lives and allies. Starmer said the decision was deliberate, citing lessons from Iraq and the need for a negotiated settlement over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Britain continues defensive operations in the region; RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone and families there are being relocated for safety.
Sources: (gov.uk)
On March 2, 2026, President Donald Trump today awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers: Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds (posthumous), Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (posthumous), and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson. Edmonds was cited for defying Nazi orders as a WWII POW to protect about 200 Jewish-American prisoners. Ollis was honored for shielding a wounded Polish officer from a suicide bomber during a 2013 attack in Afghanistan. Richardson received the medal for valor during a September 14, 1968, Vietnam reconnaissance mission in which he rescued dozens, directed airstrikes, and continued fighting despite wounds. (apnews.com)
The FBI has placed counterterrorism and intelligence teams on high alert as U.S. and allied strikes on Iran escalate, a senior bureau official told Fox News. Director Kash Patel ordered Joint Terrorism Task Forces nationwide to work 24/7, mobilize assisting security assets and increase surveillance of priority suspects to deter retaliation. Federal agencies, including DHS, are coordinating with local police and military installations have tightened security around sensitive sites. Officials say the posture is precautionary — there are no confirmed, specific domestic threats publicized — but agencies remain vigilant and are prioritizing protection of diplomatic, religious and community locations. Immediately. (foxnews.com)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer rebuked US president Donald Trump after Trump criticised Britain for not joining strikes on Iran, declaring: “It is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest… And I stand by it.” Starmer said the UK had prioritised de‑escalation and legal scrutiny over offensive action, while later permitting limited US defensive uses of British bases following Iranian missile and drone attacks that threatened British forces and citizens. He and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed protecting 300,000 British nationals in the Gulf. Conservatives, commentators accused him of weakness as relations with the US were deeply strained. (theguardian.com)
