Iran launched direct and proxy strikes against 15 countries and their forces after U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran. (bdnews24.com) Targets included Israel; U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Gulf; the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Syria, Cyprus and France. (local10.com) Missiles and hundreds of drones struck airports, ports and military sites, triggering airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations. (theguardian.com) The UAE reported dozens of intercepted missiles and casualties; an oil tanker and Duqm port were hit near Oman. (indianexpress.com) Tehran warned all U.S. and Israeli assets are legitimate targets, further escalating regional tensions and prompting international condemnation. (english.news.cn)
On February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump announced Operation Epic Fury, a major joint U.S.-Israeli campaign of strikes on Iran, saying the U.S. would “avenge” Americans killed, that more U.S. casualties were likely, and that military action would continue “until our objectives are achieved.” Trump framed the strikes as aimed at Iran’s nuclear, missile and naval capabilities and urged Iran’s security forces to surrender in exchange for immunity. Initial strikes targeted hundreds of sites and, according to U.S. officials, reportedly killed senior Iranian figures; the attacks prompted Iranian missile and drone retaliation and swift international concern about wider regional escalation. (washingtonpost.com)
On January 24, 2026, federal Border Patrol officers shot and fatally wounded an armed man during an immigration-enforcement operation in south Minneapolis near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Department of Homeland Security officials said the suspect approached agents with a 9mm handgun and resisted disarmament; local authorities identified the victim as a Minneapolis resident in his 30s. The confrontation sparked protests and deployment of crowd-control measures. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he contacted the White House, and the administration said it was monitoring the situation. The shooting is under federal and local investigation as tensions over the enforcement surge continue. (washingtonpost.com)
Breaking: Thousands of NFL fans are saying they will boycott the Super Bowl halftime show after reports that Bad Bunny plans to wear a dress during his performance to honor queer icons. A stylist, quoted by celebrity outlets, claimed the outfit would be “a political thunderbolt disguised as couture,” prompting conservative commentators and social-media users to call for a mass boycott and criticize the NFL’s choice. Bad Bunny, who has publicly criticized Donald Trump and spoken against aggressive immigration enforcement, has not officially confirmed the costume; the NFL has defended booking him as halftime headliner amid rising online controversy today. (thespun.com)
On January 24, 2026, clashes in Minneapolis between federal immigration agents and demonstrators escalated as crowds surrounded officers and footage showed agents deploying tear gas, flash‑bangs and other crowd‑control munitions to disperse people. The confrontations followed a Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renée Good and additional shootings during a DHS enforcement surge, fueling large protests and demands that ICE leave the city. Local leaders and lawyers have criticized federal tactics and called for local control while investigations continue. Authorities say agents used force for officer safety; witnesses and civil‑rights advocates describe the scene as chaotic and dangerous, and protests persist. (apnews.com)
On January 24, 2026, federal officers shot a person in Minneapolis during an immigration-enforcement operation, officials say. (apnews.com) The incident, reported near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, left bystanders and protesters confronting agents and prompted a large law-enforcement response. (foxnews.com) Gov. Tim Walz urged an end to the federal crackdown and said he’d been in contact with the White House. (apnews.com) Federal authorities reported the suspect was armed and a firearm was recovered, while details remained limited and investigations by federal and local agencies were underway. (foxnews.com) Authorities asked the public to avoid the area as tensions continued to mount, and witnesses filmed portions. (apnews.com)
Massive Winter Storm Fern threatens much of the U.S.; Virginia and South Carolina requested presidential emergency declarations as governors declared states of emergency. FEMA activated its National Response Coordination Center and pre-positioned teams, generators, meals and blankets while DHS paused planned FEMA staffing cuts. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS and FEMA are coordinating with states to provide federal support. Officials warned of heavy snow, ice, dangerous wind chills and widespread travel disruptions, with thousands of flights canceled. Residents were urged to stay warm, avoid travel, follow local guidance and pray for FEMA responders and those in harm’s way. (theguardian.com)
On March 3, 2025, the White House announced it was pausing all U.S. military aid to Ukraine after a heated Oval Office clash between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Officials said the pause, aimed at pressing Kyiv toward peace talks, halts future deliveries and some intelligence sharing while Washington reviews assistance. The move surprised NATO allies and congressional overseers, prompting sharp Democratic criticism and concern in Kyiv about air‑defense and ammunition shortfalls. U.S. officials later said restrictions were lifted after diplomatic talks and a 30‑day ceasefire agreement on March 11, 2025, which Reuters and other outlets reported. (peoplenewstoday.com)
About the poll: I don’t hold personal political positions, but I can summarize arguments for or against the decision, provide polling or congressional reactions, or help craft a short poll text. Which would you like?
On January 23, 2026, clergy-led anti-ICE protesters staged a sit-in at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport during a statewide “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom” action; organizers said roughly 100 clergy were arrested after demonstrators moved beyond a permitted area, while airport officials said operations remained uninterrupted and arrests were made to protect safety and access to Terminal 1. The protests — in frigid subzero weather — were fueled by outrage over the Jan. 7 killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent and broader deportation flights; organizers urged airlines to stop cooperating with ICE and drew attention. (washingtonpost.com)
New Civic Lens polling shows two Republicans atop California’s crowded 2026 governor race, raising the prospect of a GOP lockout under the state’s top-two primary. Former Fox host Steve Hilton leads at about 18 percent, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco roughly at 14 percent; Democrat Eric Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter trail in the low teens or single digits, and Tom Steyer polls under 10 percent. The survey of 400 likely primary voters was conducted Dec. 14–16 and found roughly 31 percent undecided, prompting caution about how volatile the field remains, and experts warn results could shift quickly. (newsweek.com)
Iran launched direct and proxy strikes against 15 countries and their forces after U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran. (bdnews24.com) Targets included Israel; U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Gulf; the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Syria, Cyprus and France. (local10.com) Missiles and hundreds of drones struck airports, ports and military sites, triggering airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations. (theguardian.com) The UAE reported dozens of intercepted missiles and casualties; an oil tanker and Duqm port were hit near Oman. (indianexpress.com) Tehran warned all U.S. and Israeli assets are legitimate targets, further escalating regional tensions and prompting international condemnation. (english.news.cn)
On February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump announced Operation Epic Fury, a major joint U.S.-Israeli campaign of strikes on Iran, saying the U.S. would “avenge” Americans killed, that more U.S. casualties were likely, and that military action would continue “until our objectives are achieved.” Trump framed the strikes as aimed at Iran’s nuclear, missile and naval capabilities and urged Iran’s security forces to surrender in exchange for immunity. Initial strikes targeted hundreds of sites and, according to U.S. officials, reportedly killed senior Iranian figures; the attacks prompted Iranian missile and drone retaliation and swift international concern about wider regional escalation. (washingtonpost.com)
President Donald Trump said the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran “could take four weeks or less,” calling it “always been a four‑week process” during remarks from Mar‑a‑Lago. (apnews.com) The comments came after U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, plunging the region into intense exchanges. (apnews.com) U.S. Central Command confirmed three American service members were killed and five wounded in the operation, while Iran launched missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, striking bases and airports. (news.usni.org) Trump said he was open to negotiations but warned military action would continue, and world leaders urged restraint. (apnews.com)
On June 18, 2025, Iran’s state television was briefly hacked: satellite links were disrupted and multiple channels were hijacked to air footage of past anti‑regime protests and messages urging Iranians to take to the streets. (timesofisrael.com) Iranian broadcasters later warned viewers the interruption resulted from a cyberattack by the “Zionist enemy.” (jewishnews.com) The clip also included an English‑language appeal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (timesofisrael.com) Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly urged Iranians to keep protesting, saying “help is on its way.” (pbs.org) The incident occurred amid intensified Israel‑Iran hostilities and a wider communications blackout inside Iran, and raised international alarm worldwide. (timesofisrael.com)
