DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital with a drone early Tuesday as it kept hitting targets around the region, while the United States and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes in what U.S. President Donald Trump suggested was just the start of a relentless campaign that could last more than a month.

The attack from two drones on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused a “limited fire” and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, and the embassy urged Americans to avoid the compound. It followed an attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-02-2026-cb42936de1d8c261be8f30f11c6665fa">the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait</a>, which announced Tuesday it had been closed until further notice. The U.S. State Department also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Kuwait, as well as Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates as a precaution.

The expanding conflict has so far killed hundreds of people, the vast majority in Iran.

Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out throughout the night into Tuesday, with aircraft heard overhead. It was not immediately clear what had been hit. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment site had sustained “some recent damage,” though there was “no radiological consequence expected.” Natanz earlier came under attack by the U.S. in the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June.

In Lebanon, Israel launched more strikes on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group. Explosions could be heard and smoke seen in a southern suburb of Beirut. Israel also said its soldiers were “operating in southern Lebanon.” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army was evacuating some of its positions along the border.

The conflict could have far-reaching consequences

The expansion of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and the intensity of the Israeli and American attacks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;and the lack of any apparent exit plan portend a possibly prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.

Iran has hit many countries deemed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-dubai-emirates-tourism-attack-b256f514b290c987b3004cc87744f038">safe havens in the Mideast</a>&nbsp;in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Recent targets include two Amazon data centers in the UAE and a drone impact near another in Bahrain that caused damage, the company said Tuesday. Iran has also hit energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">a fifth of all oil traded passes</a>, sending global oil and natural gas prices soaring.

“The Strait of Hormuz is closed,” declared Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, threatening to set fire to any ships attempting to transit. “Don’t come to this region.”

The U.S. State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to safety risks, as have many other countries, though with much of the airspace closed many remain stranded.

Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.” He later added that the U.S. had a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and pre-positioned “high grade weaponry.”

“Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies,” he wrote on social media.

Hundreds dead in Iran and dozens in Lebanon along with 11 in Israel

The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 787 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported airstrikes killed 13 Iranian troops in Kerman, 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast of Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah killed 52 people in Lebanon.

“Military escalation would force more families from their homes and hit civilians hard,” said Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization on Migration, calling for the international community to press for de-escalation. “Millions are already displaced in the region.”

The U.S. military has confirmed six deaths of American service members. All six were Army soldiers in a logistics unit in Kuwait, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Three people were killed in the UAE, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">“mistakenly shot down”</a>&nbsp;three American fighter jets while Iran was attacking it with aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely.

Israel and US target nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure

Iranian state TV said strikes caused two explosions early Tuesday at a broadcasting facility in Tehran, but said no one was injured.

Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.

“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” he said.

Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which the U.S. bombed in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Israel has said it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”

Trump said the military campaign’s objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that it cannot continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-proxies-us-israel-hezbollah-war-b0f919b657bb33c464f6d943d7142464">support allied groups</a>&nbsp;like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel on Monday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so and says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained, however, that Iran was rebuilding “new sites, new places” underground for making atomic bombs. He offered no evidence to support his claim.

“We had to take the action now and we did,” Netanyahu told Fox News Channel’s Hannity.

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed limited activity at two nuclear sites in Iran before the war. Analysts said Tehran was likely assessing damage from the 2025 U.S. strikes and possibly salvaging what remained.

Attacks on Iran have drawn in proxy forces from around region

The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where the Iranian-supported militant group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday, prompting Israel to retaliate.

At least 52 people have been killed and 154 wounded, Lebanese authorities said.

Israel hit Beirut with more airstrikes early Tuesday, saying it was targeting “Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities.”

Hezbollah also said it launched drones targeting an Israeli air base. The Israeli military said it downed two drones.

An Iranian-linked militant in Iraq has also claimed strikes on U.S. military facilities there. The Israeli military said its troops operating in southern Lebanon were positioned at several points near the border in what it described as a “forward defense posture.”

The army said there were no plans to evacuate Israeli residents of border areas.

<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital with a drone early Tuesday as it kept hitting targets around the region, while the United States and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes in what U.S. President Donald Trump suggested was just the start of a relentless campaign that could last more than a month.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Update | Security Alert: Shelter in Place - U.S. Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (Mar.3, 2026)<br><br>The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia has issued a shelter in place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran and are limiting non-essential travel to any military installations…</p>&mdash; U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAinKSA/status/2028635716918329539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The attack from two drones on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused a “limited fire” and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, and the embassy urged Americans to avoid the compound. It followed an attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-02-2026-cb42936de1d8c261be8f30f11c6665fa">the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait</a>, which announced Tuesday it had been closed until further notice. The U.S. State Department also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Kuwait, as well as Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates as a precaution.</p><p>The expanding conflict has so far killed hundreds of people, the vast majority in Iran.</p><p>Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out throughout the night into Tuesday, with aircraft heard overhead. It was not immediately clear what had been hit. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment site had sustained “some recent damage,” though there was “no radiological consequence expected.” Natanz earlier came under attack by the U.S. in the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June.</p><p>In Lebanon, Israel launched more strikes on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group. Explosions could be heard and smoke seen in a southern suburb of Beirut. Israel also said its soldiers were “operating in southern Lebanon.” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army was evacuating some of its positions along the border.</p><h2>The conflict could have far-reaching consequences</h2><p>The expansion of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and the intensity of the Israeli and American attacks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;and the lack of any apparent exit plan portend a possibly prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.</p><p>Iran has hit many countries deemed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-dubai-emirates-tourism-attack-b256f514b290c987b3004cc87744f038">safe havens in the Mideast</a>&nbsp;in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Recent targets include two Amazon data centers in the UAE and a drone impact near another in Bahrain that caused damage, the company said Tuesday. Iran has also hit energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">a fifth of all oil traded passes</a>, sending global oil and natural gas prices soaring.</p><p>“The Strait of Hormuz is closed,” declared Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, threatening to set fire to any ships attempting to transit. “Don’t come to this region.”</p><h2>US citizens urged to leave</h2><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772495225840.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The U.S. State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to safety risks, as have many other countries, though with much of the airspace closed many remain stranded.</p><p>Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.” He later added that the U.S. had a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and pre-positioned “high grade weaponry.”</p><p>“Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies,” he wrote on social media.</p><h2>Hundreds dead in Iran and dozens in Lebanon along with 11 in Israel</h2><p>The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 787 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported airstrikes killed 13 Iranian troops in Kerman, 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast of Iran’s capital, Tehran.</p><p>Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah killed 52 people in Lebanon.</p><p>“Military escalation would force more families from their homes and hit civilians hard,” said Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization on Migration, calling for the international community to press for de-escalation. “Millions are already displaced in the region.”</p><p>The U.S. military has confirmed six deaths of American service members. All six were Army soldiers in a logistics unit in Kuwait, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.</p><p>Three people were killed in the UAE, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.</p><p>The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">“mistakenly shot down”</a>&nbsp;three American fighter jets while Iran was attacking it with aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely.</p><h2>Israel and US target nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure</h2><p>Iranian state TV said strikes caused two explosions early Tuesday at a broadcasting facility in Tehran, but said no one was injured.</p><p>Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.</p><p>“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” he said.</p><p>Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which the U.S. bombed in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Israel has said it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”</p><p>Trump said the military campaign’s objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that it cannot continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-proxies-us-israel-hezbollah-war-b0f919b657bb33c464f6d943d7142464">support allied groups</a>&nbsp;like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel on Monday.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so and says its nuclear program is peaceful.</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained, however, that Iran was rebuilding “new sites, new places” underground for making atomic bombs. He offered no evidence to support his claim.</p><p>“We had to take the action now and we did,” Netanyahu told Fox News Channel’s Hannity.</p><p>Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed limited activity at two nuclear sites in Iran before the war. Analysts said Tehran was likely assessing damage from the 2025 U.S. strikes and possibly salvaging what remained.</p><h2>Attacks on Iran have drawn in proxy forces from around region</h2><p>The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where the Iranian-supported militant group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday, prompting Israel to retaliate.</p><p>At least 52 people have been killed and 154 wounded, Lebanese authorities said.</p><p>Israel hit Beirut with more airstrikes early Tuesday, saying it was targeting “Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities.”</p><p>Hezbollah also said it launched drones targeting an Israeli air base. The Israeli military said it downed two drones.</p><p>An Iranian-linked militant in Iraq has also claimed strikes on U.S. military facilities there. The Israeli military said its troops operating in southern Lebanon were positioned at several points near the border in what it described as a “forward defense posture.”</p><p>The army said there were no plans to evacuate Israeli residents of border areas.</p><p>___</p>

Iranian drones hit US Embassy in Saudi Arabia; hundreds are reported dead in Iran

KANSAS CITY—Two people died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Kansas City.

A silver Subaru Forrester and a silver Ford Escape were both stopped for the red traffic control signal on the exit ramp from northbound 71 Highway to Meyer Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 A northbound black Ford F150 was traveling on the exit ramp at a high rate of speed. The F150 sideswiped the Escape and struck the rear end of the Subaru. 

The F150 pushed the Subaru northbound across the eastbound lanes of Meyer Boulevard, through the center median, and over a concrete wall. As the Subaru was being pushed over the wall, the vehicle overturned and landed in the westbound lanes of Meyer Boulevard.

 As the front of the F150 disengaged from the Subaru, the vehicle began to rotate across the westbound lanes of Meyer. The F150 then struck a westbound gray GMC Sierra on Meyer before coming to rest. 

The driver and front seat passenger of the Subaru were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the F150 was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Escape was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the GMC was uninjured in the collision. The driver of the F150 is currently in critical condition and the driver of the Escape is currently in stable condition. This is fatalities #12 and #13 compared to #9 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772505633291.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY—Two people died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Kansas City.</p><p>A silver Subaru Forrester and a silver Ford Escape were both stopped for the red traffic control signal on the exit ramp from northbound 71 Highway to Meyer Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772505663773.png" alt="Photo couresy KMBC" />
                        <figcaption>Photo couresy KMBC</figcaption>
                    </figure><p> A northbound black Ford F150 was traveling on the exit ramp at a high rate of speed. The F150 sideswiped the Escape and struck the rear end of the Subaru. </p><p>The F150 pushed the Subaru northbound across the eastbound lanes of Meyer Boulevard, through the center median, and over a concrete wall. As the Subaru was being pushed over the wall, the vehicle overturned and landed in the westbound lanes of Meyer Boulevard.</p><p> As the front of the F150 disengaged from the Subaru, the vehicle began to rotate across the westbound lanes of Meyer. The F150 then struck a westbound gray GMC Sierra on Meyer before coming to rest. </p><p>The driver and front seat passenger of the Subaru were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the F150 was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Escape was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the GMC was uninjured in the collision. The driver of the F150 is currently in critical condition and the driver of the Escape is currently in stable condition. This is fatalities #12 and #13 compared to #9 at this time last year, according to Becchina.</p>

2 dead after 4-vehicle crash in Kansas City

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends February 2026 with total tax collections at $506.3 million. That is $58.4 million, or 10.3%, below the estimate. Total tax collections were down 7.6% from February 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2026%2F03%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3570438%2F08_February_Revenue_FY2026_03-02-2026_Final.pdf/1/0101019cb0518ab4-97ef7441-9fb2-49be-9244-de2bcd1e2a54-000000/xXyXPk1ReYdX-EvbdoQNIFFA_dubUdMakw01mQUwfsQ=446">here</a>&nbsp;to view the February 2026 revenue numbers.&nbsp;

“February’s report reflects that revenues collected were down nearly $59 million, at the same time the Legislature is building their budget,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Legislature should keep in mind the structural imbalance&nbsp;their past budget&nbsp;created and&nbsp;look to my budget for a path to rectify the unsustainable imbalance over time.”&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $205.7 million. That is $44.3 million, or 17.7% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections were down 14.1% from February 2025. Corporate income tax collections were negative $349,104. That is $15.3 million, or 102.3% below the estimate, and down 102.1% from February 2025.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $253.4 million, which is $433,844, or 0.2% above the estimate, and up 2.6% from February 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends February 2026 with total tax collections at $506.3 million. That is $58.4 million, or 10.3%, below the estimate. Total tax collections were down 7.6% from February 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2026%2F03%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3570438%2F08_February_Revenue_FY2026_03-02-2026_Final.pdf/1/0101019cb0518ab4-97ef7441-9fb2-49be-9244-de2bcd1e2a54-000000/xXyXPk1ReYdX-EvbdoQNIFFA_dubUdMakw01mQUwfsQ=446">here</a>&nbsp;to view the February 2026 revenue numbers.&nbsp;</p><p>“February’s report reflects that revenues collected were down nearly $59 million, at the same time the Legislature is building their budget,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Legislature should keep in mind the structural imbalance&nbsp;their past budget&nbsp;created and&nbsp;look to my budget for a path to rectify the unsustainable imbalance over time.”&nbsp;</p><p>Individual income tax collections were $205.7 million. That is $44.3 million, or 17.7% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections were down 14.1% from February 2025. Corporate income tax collections were negative $349,104. That is $15.3 million, or 102.3% below the estimate, and down 102.1% from February 2025.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $253.4 million, which is $433,844, or 0.2% above the estimate, and up 2.6% from February 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Kan. total tax collections in February down from 2025

SEDGWICK—A man accused of in the deadly shooting of his mother-in-law in front of his 8-year-old son was back in court last week.

On Friday, Stephen Rogers entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and child endangerment in a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Tyler Rousch, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Rogers was originally charged with first-degree murder.

In July, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside the home at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.&nbsp;

The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.

Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.

Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Rogers was found with his son in Butler County and arrested. His son was not injured.&nbsp; Rogers' sentencing is scheduled for May 8, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1754002321266.png" alt="Rogers photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Rogers photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK—A man accused of in the deadly shooting of his mother-in-law in front of his 8-year-old son was back in court last week.</p><p>On Friday, Stephen Rogers entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and child endangerment in a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Tyler Rousch, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Rogers was originally charged with first-degree murder.</p><p>In July, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside the home at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.&nbsp;</p><p>The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.</p><p>Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.</p><p>Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.</p><p>Rogers was found with his son in Butler County and arrested. His son was not injured.&nbsp; Rogers' sentencing is scheduled for May 8, according to the district attorney's office.</p>

Kan. man who killed his mother-in-law in front of 8-year-old enters plea

The U.S. Department of State urges Americans to depart now from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. 

Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada). ENROLL in <a href="https://t.co/tn90vcTuHc" target="_blank">http://step.state.gov</a> to get the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

<p>The U.S. Department of State urges Americans to depart now from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. </p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772495225840.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada). ENROLL in <a href="https://t.co/tn90vcTuHc" target="_blank">http://step.state.gov</a> to get the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.</p>

Americans urged to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations&nbsp;

On the evening of April 25, 2025 an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 200 block North 4th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver, 29-year-old Adrian Duran, was taken into custody for giving the officer false information on his identity. He was subsequently found to be in possession of fentanyl.

On Feb. 28, police arrested Duran in the 700 block North 10th Street on a District Court warrant for possession of fentanyl, interference with law enforcement and defective tail lamps.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772464087266.png" alt="Duran photo Atchison County" />
                        <figcaption>Duran photo Atchison County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations&nbsp;</p><p>On the evening of April 25, 2025 an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 200 block North 4th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver, 29-year-old Adrian Duran, was taken into custody for giving the officer false information on his identity. He was subsequently found to be in possession of fentanyl.</p><p>On Feb. 28, police arrested Duran in the 700 block North 10th Street on a District Court warrant for possession of fentanyl, interference with law enforcement and defective tail lamps.&nbsp;</p>

Kansas man caught with fentanyl gave police a fake name

WASHINGTON (AP) — Videos of former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;and former Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-hillary-bill-clinton-deposition-house-investigation-299d82e8549f4d994dcb081c3876585c">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;answering questions about convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;were released Monday by a House committee investigating the late financier.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-jeffrey-epstein-deposition-congress-9ea23ac5a5ffd1c7b9511e46308e8b21">recordings of the depositions</a>, which spanned hours over two days last week, were expected to show how both Clintons distanced themselves from Epstein. Bill Clinton told the committee that he had ended his relationship with Epstein years before the financier entered a guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

Hillary Clinton said she never even recalled meeting Epstein.

Still, they faced hours of questioning under oath from lawmakers who are searching for accountability for anyone who was aware or ignored Epstein's abuse of underage girls.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772486005507.png" alt="Image from House Oversight video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from House Oversight video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Videos of former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;and former Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-hillary-bill-clinton-deposition-house-investigation-299d82e8549f4d994dcb081c3876585c">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;answering questions about convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;were released Monday by a House committee investigating the late financier.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rgJrYKAl6T0?si=UWqU85mp9doew-YM&amp;start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;When did you first learn of Jeffrey Epstein&#39;s crimes?&quot;<br> <br>Fmr. President Bill Clinton: &quot;In 2008, when he was prosecuted. I didn&#39;t—There&#39;s nothing that I saw when I was around him that made me realize he was trafficking women.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NYZ5XIQ3JU">pic.twitter.com/NYZ5XIQ3JU</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028600004596690968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨WATCH🚨 <br><br> I asked former President Bill Clinton if his friend Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. <br><br>(his lawyers clearly didn’t want him to answer) <a href="https://t.co/XeYhQyLM3Z">pic.twitter.com/XeYhQyLM3Z</a></p>&mdash; Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/2028581495120531962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-jeffrey-epstein-deposition-congress-9ea23ac5a5ffd1c7b9511e46308e8b21">recordings of the depositions</a>, which spanned hours over two days last week, were expected to show how both Clintons distanced themselves from Epstein. Bill Clinton told the committee that he had ended his relationship with Epstein years before the financier entered a guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772486080524.png" alt="Image from House Oversight Committee video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from House Oversight Committee video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/siiAk6WXc0M?si=Wz53et56LpzLJUYa" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>Hillary Clinton said she never even recalled meeting Epstein.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;When you saw photos of your husband in a hot tub…getting massaged by other women, and you knew that Jeffrey Epstein was involved…did it concern you?&quot;<br> <br>Hillary Clinton: &quot;I&#39;m here not to offer my opinions. I&#39;m here to answer specific questions to the best of my ability.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wX3BJZ5suH">pic.twitter.com/wX3BJZ5suH</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028602186381345116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hillary Clinton, upon being told of Rep. Lauren Boebert leaking photos of her during deposition: &quot;If you guys are doing that, I am done. You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home. This is just typical behavior! Oh, for heaven&#39;s sake!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/bL3BJdgR5L">pic.twitter.com/bL3BJdgR5L</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028600241021198745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;When you saw photos of your husband in a hot tub…getting massaged by other women, and you knew that Jeffrey Epstein was involved…did it concern you?&quot;<br> <br>Hillary Clinton: &quot;I&#39;m here not to offer my opinions. I&#39;m here to answer specific questions to the best of my ability.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wX3BJZ5suH">pic.twitter.com/wX3BJZ5suH</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028602186381345116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Still, they faced hours of questioning under oath from lawmakers who are searching for accountability for anyone who was aware or ignored Epstein's abuse of underage girls.</p>

🎥 Under oath: Bill and Hillary Clinton's testimony on Jeffrey Epstein

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after noon Monday in McPherson County, according to a media release from McPherson Police.

A witness told police a van was eastbound in 800 Block of East 1st Street. The vehicle traveled off the road, crossed oncoming westbound traffic and onto the grass and struck a tree at the southeast entrance of the McPherson High School parking lot.&nbsp; The driver identified as 62-year-old James Willis of McPherson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

<p>MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after noon Monday in McPherson County, according to a media release from McPherson Police.</p><p>A witness told police a van was eastbound in 800 Block of East 1st Street. The vehicle traveled off the road, crossed oncoming westbound traffic and onto the grass and struck a tree at the southeast entrance of the McPherson High School parking lot.&nbsp; The driver identified as 62-year-old James Willis of McPherson was pronounced dead at the scene.</p><p>The accident remains under investigation.</p>

Kansas man dies after crash near high school

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a shooting that sent a Kansas man to the hospital in critical condition have tracked down a suspect.

At about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 400 block of N. Clara Street in Wichita, according to a media release. Officers arrived and found a 38-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers provided medical aid until EMS arrived.

EMS transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition. He is expected to survive his injuries.&nbsp;

The incident started as an argument between the 38-year-old victim and a 21-year-old suspect identified in county booking records as Damien Michael Farias,&nbsp;while they sat in their vehicles outside the home of a 25-year-old Wichita woman.&nbsp;

The argument continued after both men got out of their vehicles. Farias pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking the victim and a nearby residence, then left the scene before officers arrived.

Farias, the victim, and the woman knew each other.

&nbsp;Wichita Police Community Response Teams, the K-9 Unit and patrol officers began working to locate Farias.

At 7a.m. Sunday officers located Farias at a residence in north Wichita. He was taken into custody without incident. Officers also located the suspect’s vehicle in the 100 block of S. Sheridan. With assistance from a K-9, officers found a firearm in the area.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772451802335.png" alt="Farias photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Farias photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a shooting that sent a Kansas man to the hospital in critical condition have tracked down a suspect.</p><p>At about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 400 block of N. Clara Street in Wichita, according to a media release. Officers arrived and found a 38-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers provided medical aid until EMS arrived.</p><p>EMS transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition. He is expected to survive his injuries.&nbsp;</p><p>The incident started as an argument between the 38-year-old victim and a 21-year-old suspect identified in county booking records as Damien Michael Farias,&nbsp;while they sat in their vehicles outside the home of a 25-year-old Wichita woman.&nbsp;</p><p>The argument continued after both men got out of their vehicles. Farias pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking the victim and a nearby residence, then left the scene before officers arrived.</p><p>Farias, the victim, and the woman knew each other.</p><p>&nbsp;Wichita Police Community Response Teams, the K-9 Unit and patrol officers began working to locate Farias.</p><p>At 7a.m. Sunday officers located Farias at a residence in north Wichita. He was taken into custody without incident. Officers also located the suspect’s vehicle in the 100 block of S. Sheridan. With assistance from a K-9, officers found a firearm in the area.&nbsp;</p>

Police, K9 unit capture Kansas shooting suspect

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ben-finley">BEN FINLEY</a><br>Associated Press

The U.S. military on Monday announced the deaths of two more American service members during the operations against Iran, bringing the total death toll to six people.

U.S. Central Command stated in a post on X that U.S. forces “recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region.”

The post did not state where two service members were killed. Their identities are being withheld until 24 hours after their families are notified, the military said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772486725972.png" alt="File photo Operation Epic Fury -U..S. Central Command" />
                        <figcaption>File photo Operation Epic Fury -U..S. Central Command</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ben-finley">BEN FINLEY</a><br>Associated Press</p><p>The U.S. military on Monday announced the deaths of two more American service members during the operations against Iran, bringing the total death toll to six people.</p><p>U.S. Central Command stated in a post on X that U.S. forces “recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region.”</p><p>The post did not state where two service members were killed. Their identities are being withheld until 24 hours after their families are notified, the military said.</p>

US military: Death toll from Iran operation has risen to 6

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in Cowley County have released the name of the victim as Kasey Joe Barclay, 32, formerly of Ponca City, Oklahoma, according to Cowley County Undersheriff Christina McDonald.

Just before 7:30p.m. Saturday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an injury accident involving a vehicle versus a pedestrian on US 77 Highway at 242nd Road, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald.

&nbsp;Deputies determined that a silver Nissan Rogue driven by&nbsp;Stacy Gisick, 62, of Wichita, was&nbsp;northbound on US 77 and struck Barclay who was walking in the roadway. Barclay sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Gisick remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in Cowley County have released the name of the victim as Kasey Joe Barclay, 32, formerly of Ponca City, Oklahoma, according to Cowley County Undersheriff Christina McDonald.</p><p>Just before 7:30p.m. Saturday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an injury accident involving a vehicle versus a pedestrian on US 77 Highway at 242nd Road, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald.</p><p>&nbsp;Deputies determined that a silver Nissan Rogue driven by&nbsp;Stacy Gisick, 62, of Wichita, was&nbsp;northbound on US 77 and struck Barclay who was walking in the roadway. Barclay sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.</p><p>Gisick remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Sheriff IDs woman who died after struck by SUV in Kansas

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The war in the Middle East spiraled further Monday as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-us-israel-hezbollah-strikes-03-02-2026">Israel and the United States pounded</a>&nbsp;Iran in a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-israel-war-where-things-stand-e3c003aef4479cd179967a63bb1236f4">several weeks</a>. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s energy production.

The intensity of the attacks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-dubai-emirates-tourism-attack-b256f514b290c987b3004cc87744f038">Safe havens in the Mideast</a>&nbsp;like Dubai have seen incoming fire; hundreds of thousands of airline passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-travel-airlines-mideast-flights-93f2559eb57f05989fb1de8fda7f21ec">are stranded around the globe</a>; oil prices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-prices-iran-us-hormuz-tanker-8a6d6fb35c89d9b0db4c4846f290c2c3">shot up</a>; and U.S. allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-reactions-03-01-2026-961f288c645f6cbc7fa9d63e0502df36">pledged to help</a>&nbsp;stop Iranian missiles and drones.

With no sign of the conflict abating anytime soon, Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

He said U.S. forces were determined to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its naval capacity, stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that Iran cannot continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-proxies-us-israel-hezbollah-war-b0f919b657bb33c464f6d943d7142464">support allied groups</a>&nbsp;like Lebanon's Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes.

"This was our last, best chance to strike -- what we’re doing right now -- and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” Trump said.

The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">“mistakenly shot down”</a>&nbsp;three American F-15E Strike Eagles while Iran was attacking with aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely and are in stable condition.

As several airstrikes hit Iran’s capital of Tehran, the top security official Ali Larijani vowed on X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.”

The death toll grew on all sides. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group also targeted Israel, which responded with strikes on Lebanon, killing more than two dozen people. Meanwhile, four American troops have been killed, and three people were reported killed in the United Arab Emirates and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Iran expands attacks to regional oil infrastructure

With world markets already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">rattled by the fighting</a>, QatarEnergy said it would stop its production of liquefied natural gas, taking one of the world’s top suppliers off the market. It offered no timeline for restoring its production. European natural gas prices surged by 40% in response.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery came under attack from drones, with defenses downing the incoming aircraft, a military spokesman told the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The refinery has a capacity of over half a million barrels of crude oil a day.

Several ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">a fifth of all oil trade passes</a>&nbsp;and where Iran has threatened attacks.

The Gulf state of Qatar said its air force had shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers.

“The attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery marks a significant escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure now squarely in Iran’s sights,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “An extended period of uncertainty lies ahead.”

The region is also a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-travel-airlines-mideast-flights-93f2559eb57f05989fb1de8fda7f21ec">hub for air travel</a>, and passengers have been stranded around the world as carriers based in the Gulf grounded flights. Long-haul carriers Etihad and Emirates restarted limited flights Monday.

Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which the U.S. bombed in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Israel has said that it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so while saying its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

Hezbollah fires on Israel, prompting massive response

Hezbollah said it fired missiles on Israel early Monday in response to Khamenei’s killing and “repeated Israeli aggressions.” It was the first time in more than a year that the militant group has claimed an attack.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Israel retaliated with strikes on Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 149 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake by loud explosions that shook buildings and shattered windows.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli army chief of staff, said the military would not end its offensive against Hezbollah “before the threat from Lebanon is eliminated.”

An Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital heavily damaged a building, as the military said it targeted a senior Hezbollah official.

In Iraq, the Iran-allied militia Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. It claimed another drone attack on Sunday against a U.S. air base in Iraq’s north.

No end in sight to the US-Israeli campaign

The U.S. military said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-b2-bombers-missouri-446725660815e45bb1b9a787a324e71f">B-2 stealth bombers</a>&nbsp;struck Iran’s ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Trump said on social media on Sunday that nine Iranian warships had been sunk and that the Iranian navy’s headquarters was “largely destroyed.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the U.S. is not engaged in a nation-building effort in Iran, and there is a clear mission. “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” Hegseth said.

It’s not completely clear what the U.S. objectives are. In announcing the initial strikes, Trump referred to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. But he also listed various grievances dating back to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and urged Iranians to “take over” their government.

There have been no signs yet of any such uprising.

Trump, however, has also signaled he would be open to dialogue with Iran's new leadership —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-war-khamenei-successor-supreme-leader-f7b8be4a356b449b591492ff9d57661c">which could be chosen soon</a>.

In an indication that the conflict could draw in other nations, Britain, France and Germany said Sunday they were ready to work with the U.S. to help stop Iran’s attacks.

Tehran’s streets have been largely deserted with people sheltering during airstrikes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-577c596775fb9a78d78107004d29d0f9">The paramilitary Basij</a>&nbsp;force, which has played a central role in crushing recent nationwide protests, set up checkpoints across the city, witnesses said.

In the northern Iranian city of Babol, a student, speaking anonymously over concerns of retribution, told the AP that armed riot police were on the streets Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday after the death of Khamenei.

“We don’t know whether to be happy about the elimination of the criminals who oppress us or to remain silent in the face of the U.S. and Israel’s war against the country and its interests and the terror that is taking place,” he said.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The war in the Middle East spiraled further Monday as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-us-israel-hezbollah-strikes-03-02-2026">Israel and the United States pounded</a>&nbsp;Iran in a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-israel-war-where-things-stand-e3c003aef4479cd179967a63bb1236f4">several weeks</a>. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s energy production.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH IN FULL: President Trump provides an update on Operation Epic Fury.<br><br>&quot;Today, the U.S. military continues to carry out large-scale combat operations in Iran to eliminate the grave threats posed to America by this terrible terrorist regime...<br><br>The regime&#39;s conventional… <a href="https://t.co/Tp1BWzu4ff">pic.twitter.com/Tp1BWzu4ff</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2028517837770215436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The intensity of the attacks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-dubai-emirates-tourism-attack-b256f514b290c987b3004cc87744f038">Safe havens in the Mideast</a>&nbsp;like Dubai have seen incoming fire; hundreds of thousands of airline passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-travel-airlines-mideast-flights-93f2559eb57f05989fb1de8fda7f21ec">are stranded around the globe</a>; oil prices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-prices-iran-us-hormuz-tanker-8a6d6fb35c89d9b0db4c4846f290c2c3">shot up</a>; and U.S. allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-reactions-03-01-2026-961f288c645f6cbc7fa9d63e0502df36">pledged to help</a>&nbsp;stop Iranian missiles and drones.</p><p>With no sign of the conflict abating anytime soon, Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”</p><p>He said U.S. forces were determined to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its naval capacity, stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that Iran cannot continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-proxies-us-israel-hezbollah-war-b0f919b657bb33c464f6d943d7142464">support allied groups</a>&nbsp;like Lebanon's Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes.</p><p>"This was our last, best chance to strike -- what we’re doing right now -- and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” Trump said.</p><p>The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">“mistakenly shot down”</a>&nbsp;three American F-15E Strike Eagles while Iran was attacking with aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely and are in stable condition.</p><p>As several airstrikes hit Iran’s capital of Tehran, the top security official Ali Larijani vowed on X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.”</p><p>The death toll grew on all sides. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group also targeted Israel, which responded with strikes on Lebanon, killing more than two dozen people. Meanwhile, four American troops have been killed, and three people were reported killed in the United Arab Emirates and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.</p><h2>Iran expands attacks to regional oil infrastructure</h2><p>With world markets already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">rattled by the fighting</a>, QatarEnergy said it would stop its production of liquefied natural gas, taking one of the world’s top suppliers off the market. It offered no timeline for restoring its production. European natural gas prices surged by 40% in response.</p><p>Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery came under attack from drones, with defenses downing the incoming aircraft, a military spokesman told the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The refinery has a capacity of over half a million barrels of crude oil a day.</p><p>Several ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">a fifth of all oil trade passes</a>&nbsp;and where Iran has threatened attacks.</p><p>The Gulf state of Qatar said its air force had shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers.</p><p>“The attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery marks a significant escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure now squarely in Iran’s sights,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “An extended period of uncertainty lies ahead.”</p><p>The region is also a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-travel-airlines-mideast-flights-93f2559eb57f05989fb1de8fda7f21ec">hub for air travel</a>, and passengers have been stranded around the world as carriers based in the Gulf grounded flights. Long-haul carriers Etihad and Emirates restarted limited flights Monday.</p><h2>Iran says nuclear site was targeted</h2><p>Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.</p><p>“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” he said.</p><p>Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which the U.S. bombed in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Israel has said that it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so while saying its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.</p><h2>Hezbollah fires on Israel, prompting massive response</h2><p>Hezbollah said it fired missiles on Israel early Monday in response to Khamenei’s killing and “repeated Israeli aggressions.” It was the first time in more than a year that the militant group has claimed an attack.</p><p>There were no reports of injuries or damage.</p><p>Israel retaliated with strikes on Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 149 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake by loud explosions that shook buildings and shattered windows.</p><p>Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli army chief of staff, said the military would not end its offensive against Hezbollah “before the threat from Lebanon is eliminated.”</p><p>An Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital heavily damaged a building, as the military said it targeted a senior Hezbollah official.</p><p>In Iraq, the Iran-allied militia Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. It claimed another drone attack on Sunday against a U.S. air base in Iraq’s north.</p><h2>No end in sight to the US-Israeli campaign</h2><p>The U.S. military said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-b2-bombers-missouri-446725660815e45bb1b9a787a324e71f">B-2 stealth bombers</a>&nbsp;struck Iran’s ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Trump said on social media on Sunday that nine Iranian warships had been sunk and that the Iranian navy’s headquarters was “largely destroyed.”</p><p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the U.S. is not engaged in a nation-building effort in Iran, and there is a clear mission. “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” Hegseth said.</p><p>It’s not completely clear what the U.S. objectives are. In announcing the initial strikes, Trump referred to the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. But he also listed various grievances dating back to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and urged Iranians to “take over” their government.</p><p>There have been no signs yet of any such uprising.</p><p>Trump, however, has also signaled he would be open to dialogue with Iran's new leadership —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-war-khamenei-successor-supreme-leader-f7b8be4a356b449b591492ff9d57661c">which could be chosen soon</a>.</p><p>In an indication that the conflict could draw in other nations, Britain, France and Germany said Sunday they were ready to work with the U.S. to help stop Iran’s attacks.</p><h2>Tehran's streets are deserted</h2><p>Tehran’s streets have been largely deserted with people sheltering during airstrikes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-577c596775fb9a78d78107004d29d0f9">The paramilitary Basij</a>&nbsp;force, which has played a central role in crushing recent nationwide protests, set up checkpoints across the city, witnesses said.</p><p>In the northern Iranian city of Babol, a student, speaking anonymously over concerns of retribution, told the AP that armed riot police were on the streets Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday after the death of Khamenei.</p><p>“We don’t know whether to be happy about the elimination of the criminals who oppress us or to remain silent in the face of the U.S. and Israel’s war against the country and its interests and the terror that is taking place,” he said.</p><p>___</p><p>Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.</p>

🎥President Trump updates timeline of Iran campaign 

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City, Missouri woman pleaded guilty to attempted bank fraud last week for altering and depositing stolen checks into her bank account. At the time of the fraud, she was employed by the United States Postal Service, according to the United State's Attorney.

Shawneasha L. Watson, 30, participated in a scheme to defraud a credit union by allowing the use of her account to deposit stolen checks. She provided both her debit card and her PIN to another individual to facilitate the deposit. In June 2023, the individual deposited checks that had been altered to show her name in the payee line and were endorsed with a signature bearing her name. The credit union flagged the deposits as fraudulent and froze the account before any withdrawals or transfers could be made. The victims all stated they had placed these checks into United States Postal Service blue collection boxes for mailing. The checks were originally intended to pay various bills including one intended for medical expenses and another for a monthly mortgage payment.

Investigators also discovered that Watson obtained a Pandemic Paycheck Protection loan under false pretenses in 2021 in the amount of $20,832.50. The loan application stated she was the sole proprietor of a men’s clothing business, and she needed the money to cover her payroll expenses. She later admitted that was false and she spent the money on herself. That loan was ultimately forgiven by the Small Business Administration.

Under federal statutes, Watson is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<p>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City, Missouri woman pleaded guilty to attempted bank fraud last week for altering and depositing stolen checks into her bank account. At the time of the fraud, she was employed by the United States Postal Service, according to the United State's Attorney.</p><p>Shawneasha L. Watson, 30, participated in a scheme to defraud a credit union by allowing the use of her account to deposit stolen checks. She provided both her debit card and her PIN to another individual to facilitate the deposit. In June 2023, the individual deposited checks that had been altered to show her name in the payee line and were endorsed with a signature bearing her name. The credit union flagged the deposits as fraudulent and froze the account before any withdrawals or transfers could be made. The victims all stated they had placed these checks into United States Postal Service blue collection boxes for mailing. The checks were originally intended to pay various bills including one intended for medical expenses and another for a monthly mortgage payment.</p><p>Investigators also discovered that Watson obtained a Pandemic Paycheck Protection loan under false pretenses in 2021 in the amount of $20,832.50. The loan application stated she was the sole proprietor of a men’s clothing business, and she needed the money to cover her payroll expenses. She later admitted that was false and she spent the money on herself. That loan was ultimately forgiven by the Small Business Administration.</p><p>Under federal statutes, Watson is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.</p>

Former KC postal worker admits to stolen checks fraud scheme 

The Kansas State Fair announced rising country music star Russell Dickerson as the latest addition to its 2026 grandstand concert lineup.

Dickerson is scheduled to perform Friday, Sept. 18, at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand in Hutchinson. Fair officials said they are still working to secure an opening act.

Dickerson, known for hits including “Yours,” “Every Little Thing,” “Love You Like I Used To” and “God Gave Me a Girl,” has emerged as one of country music’s fast-rising performers. He is preparing to launch a European tour this spring, with stops in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said the booking reflects an effort to blend established favorites with newer artists gaining national and international attention.

Tickets for the Sept. 18 concert range from $35 for general admission grandstand seating to $110 for VIP deck standing room, which includes two beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Reserved VIP tables for six are available for $835. Track seating is priced at $85, and reserved grandstand seats are $55.

Presale access begins Thursday for customers who have signed up for the fair’s email list. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday morning at kansasstatefair.gov or through the fair’s ticket office at 2000 N. Poplar in Hutchinson.

Officials urged buyers to purchase tickets only through the fair’s official website or ticket office to avoid third-party resellers and potential scams. Gate admission is included in the ticket price.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772465740899.png" alt="Russell Dickerson -Courtesy Kansas State Fair" />
                        <figcaption>Russell Dickerson -Courtesy Kansas State Fair</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The Kansas State Fair announced rising country music star Russell Dickerson as the latest addition to its 2026 grandstand concert lineup.</p><p>Dickerson is scheduled to perform Friday, Sept. 18, at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand in Hutchinson. Fair officials said they are still working to secure an opening act.</p><p>Dickerson, known for hits including “Yours,” “Every Little Thing,” “Love You Like I Used To” and “God Gave Me a Girl,” has emerged as one of country music’s fast-rising performers. He is preparing to launch a European tour this spring, with stops in Scotland and Northern Ireland.</p><p>Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said the booking reflects an effort to blend established favorites with newer artists gaining national and international attention.</p><p>Tickets for the Sept. 18 concert range from $35 for general admission grandstand seating to $110 for VIP deck standing room, which includes two beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Reserved VIP tables for six are available for $835. Track seating is priced at $85, and reserved grandstand seats are $55.</p><p>Presale access begins Thursday for customers who have signed up for the fair’s email list. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday morning at kansasstatefair.gov or through the fair’s ticket office at 2000 N. Poplar in Hutchinson.</p><p>Officials urged buyers to purchase tickets only through the fair’s official website or ticket office to avoid third-party resellers and potential scams. Gate admission is included in the ticket price.</p>

Rising country music star to appear at Kansas State Fair

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a>

The two online bookies who financed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/opponents-of-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-pull-tv-ads-in-campaigns-homestretch/">campaign to legalize sports wagering</a>&nbsp;in Missouri have won $120 million from bets placed in the state but so far have not had to pay any tax on those profits.

FanDuel and DraftKings handled 73% of the $928 million wagered in Missouri during the first two months of legal sports wagering, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/SportsWagering/sw_financials/FY26_SWFinReport/01_Jan/SW%20Monthly%20Financials%200126.pdf" target="_blank">latest financial report</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Gaming Commission. The two companies have 77% of the profits from those bets, but offset the entire amount won from players by deductions for promotional wagers and other costs.

Their winnings so far are about three times what it cost the companies in the 2024 election.

Missouri taxes the operator winnings of mobile platforms and casino-based retail sports at 10%, but the constitutional amendment passed in 2024 allows a write-off of all promotional costs, federal taxes and other business costs, from the taxable amount.

Sports wagering launched in Missouri on Dec. 1, and bettors&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/30/missouri-sports-betting-tops-543m-in-first-month-but-deductions-leave-state-with-only-521k/">placed $543 million in bets</a>. The total fell in January but in the two months combined, the eight mobile providers and the eight retail locations have netted $157.7 million from lost wagers, with 99% of the profits going to mobile platforms.

The state has received $659,196 in taxes over two months, or just less than one-half of 1% of the amount won by the online and retail bookmakers.

“The latest data shows more Missourians are ditching their bookies and illegal websites and enjoying the safeguards and convenience of placing sports bets legally,” Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the&nbsp;&nbsp;Sports Betting Alliance, said in a statement to The Independent. “This initial success is building a rock-solid foundation that will ensure Missouri receives the ongoing benefits of legal, regulated sports betting for decades to come, including millions in permanent, dedicated tax revenues.”

DraftKings and FanDuel are dominating the market.

The two companies are almost equal in their share so far. Players wagered $339.7 million on the DraftKings platform and $338.4 million on the FanDuel app. DraftKings reported it won $54.4 million over the first two months, while FanDuel won $65.6 million.

During the 2024 campaign, FanDuel and DraftKings each contributed $20 million for the $43 million effort. Major Missouri sports teams contributed the rest.

Other than licensing fees, neither company has paid the state any taxes.

DraftKings has $20.6 million in net write-offs it will carry forward before it has any tax due. FanDuel has $8.1 million.

The total amount of unrealized write-offs for all eight mobile bookmakers is $33.8 million.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772283599792.png" alt=" A view of signage during DraftKings Missouri First Bet Ceremony on Dec. 1, 2025 in St Louis (Fernando Leon/Getty Images for DraftKings)." />
                        <figcaption> A view of signage during DraftKings Missouri First Bet Ceremony on Dec. 1, 2025 in St Louis (Fernando Leon/Getty Images for DraftKings).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>The two online bookies who financed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/opponents-of-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-pull-tv-ads-in-campaigns-homestretch/">campaign to legalize sports wagering</a>&nbsp;in Missouri have won $120 million from bets placed in the state but so far have not had to pay any tax on those profits.</p><p>FanDuel and DraftKings handled 73% of the $928 million wagered in Missouri during the first two months of legal sports wagering, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/SportsWagering/sw_financials/FY26_SWFinReport/01_Jan/SW%20Monthly%20Financials%200126.pdf" target="_blank">latest financial report</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Gaming Commission. The two companies have 77% of the profits from those bets, but offset the entire amount won from players by deductions for promotional wagers and other costs.</p><p>Their winnings so far are about three times what it cost the companies in the 2024 election.</p><p>Missouri taxes the operator winnings of mobile platforms and casino-based retail sports at 10%, but the constitutional amendment passed in 2024 allows a write-off of all promotional costs, federal taxes and other business costs, from the taxable amount.</p><p>Sports wagering launched in Missouri on Dec. 1, and bettors&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/30/missouri-sports-betting-tops-543m-in-first-month-but-deductions-leave-state-with-only-521k/">placed $543 million in bets</a>. The total fell in January but in the two months combined, the eight mobile providers and the eight retail locations have netted $157.7 million from lost wagers, with 99% of the profits going to mobile platforms.</p><p>The state has received $659,196 in taxes over two months, or just less than one-half of 1% of the amount won by the online and retail bookmakers.</p><p>“The latest data shows more Missourians are ditching their bookies and illegal websites and enjoying the safeguards and convenience of placing sports bets legally,” Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the&nbsp;&nbsp;Sports Betting Alliance, said in a statement to The Independent. “This initial success is building a rock-solid foundation that will ensure Missouri receives the ongoing benefits of legal, regulated sports betting for decades to come, including millions in permanent, dedicated tax revenues.”</p><p>DraftKings and FanDuel are dominating the market.</p><p>The two companies are almost equal in their share so far. Players wagered $339.7 million on the DraftKings platform and $338.4 million on the FanDuel app. DraftKings reported it won $54.4 million over the first two months, while FanDuel won $65.6 million.</p><p>During the 2024 campaign, FanDuel and DraftKings each contributed $20 million for the $43 million effort. Major Missouri sports teams contributed the rest.</p><p>Other than licensing fees, neither company has paid the state any taxes.</p><p>DraftKings has $20.6 million in net write-offs it will carry forward before it has any tax due. FanDuel has $8.1 million.</p><p>The total amount of unrealized write-offs for all eight mobile bookmakers is $33.8 million.</p>

FanDuel, DraftKings take Mo. profits nearly triple their cost for sports wagering campaign

U.S. embassies in the Middle East updated security advisories for Americans traveling and residing in these regions to exercise caution amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the&nbsp;Department of State Consular Affairs.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad.

<a href="https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel.html">Click here</a> to get the latest updates and enroll to receive alerts directly at <a href="https://t.co/tn90vcSWRE" target="_blank">http://step.state.gov</a>. Americans who need consular help can reach help 24/7 by phone: +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada).

<p>U.S. embassies in the Middle East updated security advisories for Americans traveling and residing in these regions to exercise caution amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the&nbsp;Department of State Consular Affairs.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772466046062.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad.</p><p><a href="https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel.html">Click here</a> to get the latest updates and enroll to receive alerts directly at <a href="https://t.co/tn90vcSWRE" target="_blank">http://step.state.gov</a>. Americans who need consular help can reach help 24/7 by phone: +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada).</p>

3 countries designated with a ‘Do Not Travel For Any Reason’ warning

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday spoke to widening concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-02-2026-cb42936de1d8c261be8f30f11c6665fa">the U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran</a>&nbsp;could spiral into a protracted regional conflict by declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.”

Hegseth, along with Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held the Trump administration's first news briefing since Saturday's strikes. President Donald Trump, while he’s conducted a few phone interviews with individual reporters, has not taken questions on camera and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-trump-address-f662a4f3378535d81197be699fb35a3e">only released two videos</a>&nbsp;since the operation began.

Hegseth said the operation had a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.”

“No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives,” Hegseth said.

He also suggested the U.S. was not seeking to change the Iraninan regime with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>,

“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.

The briefing comes as the conflict has intensified into a wider war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.S. military targets in the Middle East.

Four American troops have been killed in action. Trump on Sunday predicted there would be more U.S. casualties.

Caine on Monday said the U.S. expected to have additional losses.

“We grieve with you, and we will never forget you," he said of the family members of those killed.

The latest sign of the escalating upheaval came when U.S. ally Kuwait “mistakenly shot down”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">three American fighter jets</a>&nbsp;during a combat mission as Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones were attacking. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely from the American F-15E Strike Eagles and were in stable condition.

U.S. officials have not offered any exit plan or offered signs that the conflict would end anytime soon, and the Khamenei cast doubt on the future of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">the Islamic Republic</a>&nbsp;and hurtled the region into broader instability.

In laying out a case for the strikes, Hegseth pointed to the Iranian regime as having started the conflict from its inception, declaring that for 47 years it has "waged a savage, one-sided war against America.”

“Their war on Americans has become our retribution against their Ayatolloah and his death cult,” he said.

He did not point to any threat of an imminent nuclear threat from Iran, and he said again that last summer’s strikes by the U.S. and Israel “obliterated their nuclear program to rubble.”

Instead, Hegseth pointed to threats from other weaponry such as ballistic missiles and drones that justified the operation.

“Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions,” Hegseth said.

He said that during negotiations with U.S. officials leading up to the attack, Iranian officials were “stalling."

“The former regime had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal. But Tehran was not negotiating," Hegseth said.

Trump, in an interview Sunday with The New York Times, said the assault could last “four to five weeks.”

Hegseth dismissed questions about the time frame and said, “President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take. Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move up. It could move back.”

The Republican president said the U.S. and Israel had struck hundreds of targets already. That included Israel and the U.S. bombing Iranian missile sites and targeted its navy, claiming to have destroyed its headquarters and multiple warships.

Caine said that, as with the operation that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-trump-bomber-news-06-22-2025-c2baca52babe915e033ae175ce8b2687">dropped massive bunker-buster bombs</a>&nbsp;on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Epic Fury also utilized B-2 stealth bombers, which the chairman said made a 37-hour round trip.

Caine several times referenced the use of cyber technologies in the strikes, which he said had “effectively disrupted communications and sensor networks,” leaving “the adversary without the ability to coordinate or respond effectively.”

Without giving specifics, Caine said the U.S. military “delivered synchronized and layered effects designed to disrupt, degrade, deny and destroy Iran’s ability to conduct and sustained combat operations on the U.S. side.”

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday spoke to widening concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-02-2026-cb42936de1d8c261be8f30f11c6665fa">the U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran</a>&nbsp;could spiral into a protracted regional conflict by declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chairman Caine provided an update on Operation Epic Fury. <a href="https://t.co/JmhJ25tAp1">pic.twitter.com/JmhJ25tAp1</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2028465469514997881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Hegseth, along with Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held the Trump administration's first news briefing since Saturday's strikes. President Donald Trump, while he’s conducted a few phone interviews with individual reporters, has not taken questions on camera and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-trump-address-f662a4f3378535d81197be699fb35a3e">only released two videos</a>&nbsp;since the operation began.</p><p>Hegseth said the operation had a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.”</p><p>“No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives,” Hegseth said.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Secretary Hegseth: &quot;We&#39;re hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly and unapologetically.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MGw83AJ0ZX">pic.twitter.com/MGw83AJ0ZX</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028459543940788629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Secretary Pete Hegseth: &quot;We didn&#39;t start this war, but under President Trump we are finishing it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Xbc0NsWMIZ">pic.twitter.com/Xbc0NsWMIZ</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028458036373725595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>He also suggested the U.S. was not seeking to change the Iraninan regime with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>,</p><p>“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> Direct Message to the Joint Force:<br><br>“This is your moment. This is the generational turning point America has waited for since 1979 — and since the rudderless wars of hubris my generation endured. Don’t listen to the noise; just stay focused. Our commander-in-chief is… <a href="https://t.co/0cyw3Hjtx2">pic.twitter.com/0cyw3Hjtx2</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2028464733276279028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine: &quot;This is not a single, overnight operation...we expect to take additional losses...this is major combat operations...on February 28th the full strength of America&#39;s armed forces came together in a unified purpose against a capable and… <a href="https://t.co/ytRsEFAVwy">pic.twitter.com/ytRsEFAVwy</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2028462455098065025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The briefing comes as the conflict has intensified into a wider war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.S. military targets in the Middle East.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> “We are not going into the exercise of what we will and will not do…<br><br>President Trump ensures that our enemies understand we’ll go as far as we need to go to advance American interests, but we are not dumb about it!<br><br>You don’t have to roll two hundred thousand people in… <a href="https://t.co/gZx9IWFrar">pic.twitter.com/gZx9IWFrar</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2028469636522500550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> “The President has been willing to make a deal… Radical Islamists can’t have a nuclear bomb that they wield against the world.<br><br>He gave them every single opportunity.” <a href="https://t.co/gDNjWl828B">pic.twitter.com/gDNjWl828B</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2028467652193128934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> “As the President warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties.<br><br>War is hell, and always will be.  A grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far – and those injured. The absolute best of America.<br><br>May we prosecute the remainder of this… <a href="https://t.co/kmhuEmT4hP">pic.twitter.com/kmhuEmT4hP</a></p>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2028463102455333234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Four American troops have been killed in action. Trump on Sunday predicted there would be more U.S. casualties.</p><p>Caine on Monday said the U.S. expected to have additional losses.</p><p>“We grieve with you, and we will never forget you," he said of the family members of those killed.</p><p>The latest sign of the escalating upheaval came when U.S. ally Kuwait “mistakenly shot down”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">three American fighter jets</a>&nbsp;during a combat mission as Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones were attacking. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely from the American F-15E Strike Eagles and were in stable condition.</p><p>U.S. officials have not offered any exit plan or offered signs that the conflict would end anytime soon, and the Khamenei cast doubt on the future of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">the Islamic Republic</a>&nbsp;and hurtled the region into broader instability.</p><p>In laying out a case for the strikes, Hegseth pointed to the Iranian regime as having started the conflict from its inception, declaring that for 47 years it has "waged a savage, one-sided war against America.”</p><p>“Their war on Americans has become our retribution against their Ayatolloah and his death cult,” he said.</p><p>He did not point to any threat of an imminent nuclear threat from Iran, and he said again that last summer’s strikes by the U.S. and Israel “obliterated their nuclear program to rubble.”</p><p>Instead, Hegseth pointed to threats from other weaponry such as ballistic missiles and drones that justified the operation.</p><p>“Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions,” Hegseth said.</p><p>He said that during negotiations with U.S. officials leading up to the attack, Iranian officials were “stalling."</p><p>“The former regime had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal. But Tehran was not negotiating," Hegseth said.</p><p>Trump, in an interview Sunday with The New York Times, said the assault could last “four to five weeks.”</p><p>Hegseth dismissed questions about the time frame and said, “President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take. Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move up. It could move back.”</p><p>The Republican president said the U.S. and Israel had struck hundreds of targets already. That included Israel and the U.S. bombing Iranian missile sites and targeted its navy, claiming to have destroyed its headquarters and multiple warships.</p><p>Caine said that, as with the operation that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-trump-bomber-news-06-22-2025-c2baca52babe915e033ae175ce8b2687">dropped massive bunker-buster bombs</a>&nbsp;on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Epic Fury also utilized B-2 stealth bombers, which the chairman said made a 37-hour round trip.</p><p>Caine several times referenced the use of cyber technologies in the strikes, which he said had “effectively disrupted communications and sensor networks,” leaving “the adversary without the ability to coordinate or respond effectively.”</p><p>Without giving specifics, Caine said the U.S. military “delivered synchronized and layered effects designed to disrupt, degrade, deny and destroy Iran’s ability to conduct and sustained combat operations on the U.S. side.”</p><p>The Iranian Red Crescent Society said at least 555 people have been killed in Iran so far by the U.S.-Israeli campaign. Eleven people have been killed in Israel and 31 in Lebanon, according to authorities there.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Charleston, S.C., David Klepper and Ben Finley in Washington and Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report.</p>