Pete Hegseth says Iranian regime is ‘toast’ as US expands military offensive
The US will have complete, uncontested control of Iranian airspace within days, the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, declared on Wednesday, saying Iran “cannot outlast” American military power and that its capabilities were “evaporating by the hour”. “We are accelerating, not decelerating.” He said the Iranian regime “are toast, and they know it, or at least soon enough, they will know it”. Hegseth spent more time describing the killing of the supposed leader of a plot to assassinate Donald Trump. Caine said that the US had so far struck more than 2,000 Iranian targets and destroyed more than 20 naval vessels. As he did yesterday, Hegseth declined to give any timeline for the operation’s end.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 23:21 UTC
Adidas Store in Israel Hit by Bomb Amid Middle East
Adidas Franchise Store in Israel Hit by Bomb as Regional Conflict EscalatesImpact of Regional Conflict on Adidas OperationsIncident Details in IsraelBERLIN, March 4 (Reuters) - Adidas' chief commercial officer said on Wednesday that one of the company's franchise stores in Israel had been hit by a bomb, but no one had been injured, amid the unfolding war in Iran. "We had one franchise store in Israel which was hit indeed by an attack three days ago," Adidas' chief commercial officer Mathieu Sidokpohou told journalists during a press conference. "We have people currently sitting in shelters," Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said at the same press conference. Workforce and Business ImpactEmployee DistributionSome 3,000 people work at Adidas' 350 chain and franchise stores in six countries in the region affected by the war. Revenue and Supply Chain DisruptionsGulden said Adidas expected to suffer an impact on revenue from closed stores in Middle East and delays on some products sent via air freight through the region.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 23:07 UTC
Could war in the Middle East trigger a global economic crisis?
Global oil and gas prices have spiked as the conflict in the Middle East halts energy exports from the region. The strait of Hormuz has been in effect closed since the war began, causing fears of a global economic crisis. About a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped through the narrow passage of water, but, according to reports, traffic has dropped by about 80%, with little sign of return. How long until we feel the effects? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to John Collingridge, the Guardian’s head of business.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 23:04 UTC
Anthropic faces U.S. phase-out as DoD flags supply risk
The current dispute centers on the Pentagon’s supplier‑risk determination and a White House direction to halt federal use of Anthropic technology. Federal agencies are expected to cease new obligations tied to Anthropic tools and begin inventorying systems for substitution or retirement. However, some may re‑evaluate vendor risk in light of federal actions, especially in regulated sectors with stringent third‑party risk and compliance expectations. Legal challenges and oversight: what could change nextHow the federal agencies phase-out of Anthropic could proceedA typical phase‑out begins with a formal stop‑use directive, followed by system inventories and risk assessments. FAQ about Anthropic supply-chain risk designationWhy did the Pentagon label Anthropic a supply-chain risk and what does that legally mean?
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 22:58 UTC
Spain's PM says Trump playing 'Russian roulette' with lives of millions – video
The Spanish prime minister has doubled down on his opposition to the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, warning that Donald Trump was playing 'Russian roulette' with the lives of millions. Pedro Sánchez was responding after the US president threatened to cut trade with Madrid over its position on the conflict. 'The position of the Spanish government can be summarised in four words: no to the war,' he said in a televised address to the nation. Tensions between the two Nato allies increased after Sánchez denounced the US and Israeli bombings of Iran as 'unjustified and dangerous', and denied the US permission to use jointly operated military bases on its territory to attack Tehran
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 22:33 UTC
Breaking down claim Trump threatened to invade Spain
Days after the U.S. and Israel began missile strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, a rumor spread that U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to invade Spain. Social media users shared the claim alongside a video of Trump saying: "Spain actually said that we can't use their bases. In the days after the United States and Israel commenced missile strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, a rumor circulated online that U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to invade Spain. In the footage, which also showed the president discussing NATO military spending, Trump said (detail in parentheses ours):Spain has been terrible. Spain refused to let U.S. use jointly-operated military bases on its soilIt is correct that Spain did not agree to let the United States use military bases on its soil in support of the U.S. operation against Iran.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 22:21 UTC
Newcastle ace clashes with Fernandes and leaves Gordon 'disgusted'
Light feet and loose hips flow from the samba-influenced nation's stars, but Newcastle United star Joelinton presents something different altogether. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTThat was no less true than against Manchester United at St James' Park. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTJoelinton blazed over the bar when Anthony Gordon was in a good position to hand Newcastle the lead against Michael Carrick's side. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTFireworks were soon to follow as Joelinton picked up his customary yellow card for tugging Casermio's shirt, and he threatened to stray over the line. With Ramsey sent off after a second yellow card for diving, Joelinton was forced into a professional second-half performance alongside Tonali, and 10-man Newcastle delivered.
Source:Express
March 04, 2026 22:20 UTC
Properties Sold in Alameda February 17 – March 2, 2026
A quick look at Alameda properties that were sold February 17 – March 2, 2026:For sale : 68 (up from 60 two weeks ago). Cancelled : 4 (up from 2 two weeks ago). Highest sales price : $2,800,0001814 Clinton Avenue Listed for $1,995,000. : $2,800,000 1814 Clinton Avenue Listed for $1,995,000. This information is being provided by the Bay East MLS or Contra Costa MLS or bridgeMLS.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 21:46 UTC
Arne Slot Reacts to Liverpool Defeat to Worst Team in Premier League
So you’re a Premier League manager and you’ve just lost to the worst team in the Premier League. It’s been a tough season heading in, mind, but you’re still defending champions, at least for a few more months. So sometimes you’re a Premier League manager and you’ve lost to the worst team in the Premier League. “Then those [Wolves] chances and the one we concede is not even a chance, and that is what has happened so many times to us this season. By most models, Liverpool created around 1.5 to 2 expected goals worth of chances on Tuesday evening.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 21:35 UTC
Immigration Detention, Low Intensity Warfare and Popular Resistance to the Ubiquitous Border
If you’re listening to the radio edition of the interview, you can find another 30 minutes of discussion at our website. You can learn more about writing to him and what he likes to talk about at his support website. More on the move and how to write him at ABCF.NetPrairieland Case UpdatesThe Prairieland Case was declared a mistrial and has been restructured in an audacious move by the Trump appointed judge Pitman. Restrictions applied to the case will could greatly limit the ability of the 9 defendants to make their cases where decades of their lives behind bars are at stake. You can learn more, including detailed notes from each day of trial, by visiting PrairielandDefendants.Com, find the defendants new updated Tarrant County mailing addresses and followcalls for support by finding their social media.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 20:58 UTC
Harry Maguire faces England World Cup pain after Man United ace's Greek court sentence
Harry Maguire faces England World Cup pain after Man United ace's Greek court sentenceAfter Harry Maguire received news of his Greek court conviction, the Manchester United defender could have a huge problem regarding his hopes of playing at the World CupView 3 Images Manchester United defender Harry Maguire may have been dealt a huge blow for his England World Cup hopes (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Manchester United defender Harry Maguire could see his hopes of playing for England in the World Cup be blown up by his conviction from the Greek courts. The United centre-back, who denies all of the charges, will appeal the conviction to Greece's Supreme Court in a bid to prove his innocence. The conviction could severely impact his hopes of playing for the Three Lions at the World Cup, according to The Sun. At the start of 2026, the prospect of him competing at the World Cup was remote. He has played already a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw and so is Harry [Maguire].
Source:Express
March 04, 2026 19:50 UTC
First Thing: Senate to vote on resolution that would prevent Trump continuing Iran war
Republicans in the Senate are expected to reject a resolution backed by the Democrats that would prevent Donald Trump from continuing the Iran war, with the majority leader, John Thune, arguing the president was “acting in the best interest of the nation”. Democrats have condemned Trump for ordering an air campaign against Iran without first seeking permission from Congress. 1:17 Tens of thousands displaced in Lebanon as Israeli strikes continue – videoWhat would the war powers resolution do? It would force an end to US participation in the conflict and require Trump to go to Congress before re-entering the war. A lengthy energy crisis caused by the Iran war could help Russia’s war machine at a time when its economy was beginning to show signs of trouble.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 18:59 UTC
Democratic Candidates for California Governor Defy Pressure to End Campaigns
“If you do not have a viable path to make it to the General Election, do not file to place your name on the ballot for the Primary Election,” Hicks wrote. But candidates who have been mired in single-digits for months, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former state Controller Betty Yee, showed no immediate signs of heading toward the exits. At the Alameda County Registrar of Voters office in Oakland, Yee filed the paperwork to officially place her name on the ballot. “When I was signing the declaration of candidacy, my hands were shaking, because I just thought about my mother, who is 102, and how within a generation she’s able to see her daughter do this,” Yee told KQED. “Well, the establishment might not be, but our campaign is, and that’s why we’re in this race to win it.”
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 18:44 UTC
Senate votes down resolution to prevent Trump from continuing war with Iran
Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted down an attempt to require Donald Trump receive Congress’s permission before continuing the war with Iran, batting aside concerns from Democrats that the campaign is illegal and risks plunging the United States into a prolonged conflict. The 47-53 vote on a war powers resolution introduced by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine broke largely along party lines. Before the vote, Democratic senator Chris Murphy said the resolution was necessary to prevent Trump from repeating in Iran the follies of previous US presidents in Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere. The House of Representatives will on Thursday vote on a war powers resolution introduced by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, but it faces similarly dim odds. “I am certainly hopeful and I believe we do have votes to put it down.”Even if a war powers resolution were to clear the House and Senate, Trump could veto it, and lawmakers would need two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override that.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 18:30 UTC
Gladstone’s great-grandson attends Bulgaria’s National Day reception in London
Bulgaria’s National Day, 3 March, was marked with a special reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in London. The celebration opened with the Bulgarian national anthem performed by the talented Bulgarian singer Maria Georgieva, whose voice and stage presence moved the audience, according to BG BEN, the only Bulgarian newspaper published in England. A special guest at the event was Francis Gladstone, great-grandson of the renowned British statesman William Gladstone, who championed the Bulgarian cause in 1876. Among those attending the reception were James Asser, Member of Parliament for the Labour Party, and Lord Smith of Hindhead of the Conservative Party. Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Tihomir Stoychev, addressed members of the Bulgarian community in Britain.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 17:16 UTC