Greetings! Happy National Essay Day to those celebrating.

Let’s get into today’s top stories.

🇮🇷 American-Israeli strikes hit Iran, law of war alarms rise. American and Israeli forces launched an aggressive cross-border assault, followed by Iranian strikes in Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, and Tel Aviv. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “take over” their country after announcing Operation Epic Fury. Planners said they targeted Revolutionary Guard command sites, air defenses, and missile infrastructure. Early strikes hit near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices in Tehran. Iranian state television cited a local governor saying over 115 died at a girls’ school in Minab. Under the United Nations Charter, such use of force is illegal without self-defense or authorization from the Security Council, which convened urgently as capitals warned of escalation. Regional leaders reported drones and missiles striking airports, bases, and city districts. Airspace closures stranded travelers and revived Strait of Hormuz oil fears.

🕊️ Iran’s leader reported dead as missiles answer the sky. American officials claimed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday, reports confirmed by Iranian state media by late evening. Khamenei, 86, led the Islamic Republic since 1989. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “many signs” he died. United States Central Command released video of missiles and jets in the strikes. Iran launched salvos, and Israeli rescuers reported one woman killed near Tel Aviv. World leaders urged restraint as fears of a wider war grew. In Tehran, eyewitnesses described both panic and scattered celebration. Succession questions and martyr hymns now collide with continuing air raids, and neither side is blinking.

⚖️ Congress races to reclaim the war switch from Trump. American lawmakers demanded a vote on a war powers resolution after the Iran strikes. Senator Tim Kaine called the attack a colossal mistake and wants limits. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie urged Congress to convene Monday for a public vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Iran will face severe consequences. Johnson said Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed leaders as the operation neared. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Trump for confronting nuclear threats. Senator Lindsey Graham applauded the action as historic and morally necessary. Senator Chuck Schumer demanded immediate briefings and warned of endless war costs. Even if passed, legislative opponents expect a reliable veto and no two-thirds override.

🏢 Texas detention center stories: lights on, worms in food. Families described the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley as punishing. Andrea Armero said her 13-year-old daughter drew to cope behind locked gates. Detainees said guards kept lights on 24/7 and rationed medical visits. Families also reported worms in food and frequent stomach illness. When detainees protested, relatives said guards confiscated drawing materials and confined rooms. Data from the University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project show 3,800 children booked in nine months. On an average day, more than 220 children were held, many routed to Dilley. Christian Hinojosa said she and her son were held more than four months. Kheilin Valero Marcano said her infant Amalia spent nearly two months inside.

🎖️ Pentagon blacklists Anthropic, and Silicon Valley calls foul. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly ended Anthropic’s Pentagon work this week. The move invokes a supply-chain law usually aimed at foreign-linked firms. President Donald Trump backed Hegseth and urged agencies to stop using Anthropic tools. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said he rejected terms enabling mass surveillance or autonomous armed drones. The Pentagon said the designation ends an Anthropic contract worth up to $200M and warns contractors off. Trump granted the Pentagon six months to phase out embedded systems, officials said. Anthropic says the order should only affect Claude use on Defense Department work. The company says it expects $14B revenue and counts 500 customers paying $1M+ yearly. Anthropic promised a court fight, and rival Sam Altman’s OpenAI immediately rushed to fill the gap.

🎭 Viola Davis takes NAACP honor with a sermon on self-worth. Actress Viola Davis accepted the Chairman’s Award Saturday in Pasadena. Davis told the crowd healing requires radical honesty and shared forward motion. The EGOT winner traced a path from Rhode Island poverty to fame. Actor Michael B Jordan won entertainer of the year after also taking best actor. Jordan’s film “Sinners” featured his dual role as twin brothers. He beat nominees Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Teyana Taylor. Hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa entered the Hall of Fame with DJ Spinderella onstage. Comedian Deon Cole hosted, mixing politics with pop culture jabs. Samuel L Jackson honored the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died February 17th at 84.

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That’s all for today!

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See you tomorrow!