🚀Iran Launches Retaliatory Missile Barrage on U.S. Bases and Israel as Gulf Region Braces for Escalation

Tehran Targets U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, Al Udeid in Qatar, and Israeli Cities; Air Defenses Intercept Most Projectiles Amid Global Alarm

Iran escalated the Middle East conflict Saturday night with a sweeping wave of missile and drone strikes against American military installations across the Persian Gulf and multiple targets inside Israel, marking the most direct confrontation between Tehran and Washington in years.

The retaliation followed earlier joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, an operation announced by President Donald Trump as part of what he described as “major combat operations.”

Gulf Bases Under Fire

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s United States Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as American bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGC characterized the barrage as a response to “American-Zionist aggression on Iranian soil,” according to statements carried by Iran’s state news agency.

🚀Trump Announces ‘Major Combat Operations’ Against Iran, Urges Regime Change

U.S.-Israel Strikes Target Missile Sites and Naval Assets After Nuclear Talks Collapse; Tehran Vows Retaliation as Region Braces for Wider War

In a dramatic escalation that reshapes the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced the launch of “major combat operations” against Iran early Saturday, following weeks of stalled nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

The United States, acting in coordination with Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, carried out a sweeping military campaign targeting Iranian missile infrastructure, naval assets, and key defense facilities. The strikes, which included dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. warships and coordinated air operations involving American fighter aircraft, signal one of the most significant U.S. military offensives in the region in years.

Hillary Clinton Deflects Epstein Questions in Lengthy House Deposition, Republicans Signal Focus on Bill Clinton

After six hours before the House Oversight Committee, former secretary of State denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, repeatedly urging lawmakers to “ask my husband.”

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. | Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered what Republicans described as limited new information during a six-hour closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, intensifying political tensions ahead of former President Bill Clinton’s scheduled testimony.

The deposition centered on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, both convicted in connection with sex trafficking offenses. Lawmakers questioned whether either had any involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative or broader Clinton-affiliated networks.

According to Republican members of the committee, Hillary Clinton repeatedly denied recalling any substantive interaction with Epstein and said she knew Maxwell only “casually as an acquaintance.” She also denied prior knowledge of their criminal conduct before the allegations became public.

“I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island, I never went to his homes, I never went to his offices,” Clinton told reporters following the deposition. “So it’s on the record numerous times.”

‘You’ll Have to Ask My Husband’

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said Clinton frequently deferred to her husband when pressed about specific interactions or institutional links.

“The number of times that she said, ‘I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my husband,’ was more than a dozen,” Comer told reporters.

Republican Rep. Scott Perry similarly suggested that questions about the Clintons’ relationship with Epstein could only be answered by the former president.

Neither Hillary nor Bill Clinton has been accused of misconduct in connection with Epstein. Bill Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane four times in the early 2000s but has said he cut off contact years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.

Political Undertones Intensify

Democrats characterized the proceedings as partisan overreach. Rep. Yassamin Ansari described the hearing as a “clown show,” arguing Republicans were engaging in a political fishing expedition rather than pursuing substantive investigative leads.

During her deposition, Clinton said lawmakers asked “repetitive” questions and strayed into unrelated topics, including conspiracy theories such as “Pizzagate,” which circulated widely during the 2016 presidential campaign.

The dispute unfolds amid renewed scrutiny of Justice Department disclosures tied to Epstein. Republicans contend that recently released files — some made public following congressional action and committee subpoenas — warrant deeper investigation of high-profile associates.

At the same time, Democrats argue Republicans are selectively focusing on the Clintons while downplaying former President Donald Trump’s past association with Epstein. Trump has said he had a falling out with Epstein years before his arrest and denied any involvement in criminal activity.

Justice Department officials have stated that certain records remain sealed due to privilege, duplication, or ongoing investigations.

Stakes for Friday’s Deposition

With Bill Clinton scheduled to testify next, Republicans are signaling a more pointed line of questioning regarding travel records, philanthropic events, and photographic evidence included in Justice Department disclosures.

Democrats, meanwhile, hinted that the precedent of calling former presidents before the committee could have future implications. Rep. Robert Garcia suggested Democrats might seek testimony from Trump if they regain control of the House.

The broader political context — and the bipartisan demand for transparency around Epstein’s network — ensures the issue will remain a flashpoint heading into the midterm cycle.

#HillaryClinton, #EpsteinFiles📂, #HouseOversight🏛️, #BillClinton, #DOJ, #Politics, #WashingtonWatch👀,

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-- By Michele Robinson

© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.

🎖️Army Dismisses West Point Cadet After AI-Generated Deepfake Extortion Case

Ex-cadet Cayden Cork pleads guilty to felony-level charges for threatening to release AI-generated nude images; Army says accountability applies even in the age of generative AI.

The U.S. Army has dismissed a former cadet from the United States Military Academy after he pleaded guilty to extortion and indecent conduct involving AI-generated nude images, underscoring growing concerns about the misuse of generative artificial intelligence within the ranks.

Former cadet Cayden Cork was convicted earlier this month after using generative AI tools to create fake nude images — commonly known as deepfakes — of a woman and threatening to publicly release them unless she sent actual explicit photos of herself, according to service court records.

On Feb. 10, Cork pleaded guilty to the charges. A military judge sentenced him to be reprimanded, forfeit all pay, and be dismissed from the Army. He also received a 10-day sentence of confinement, but was credited with time served, resulting in no additional custody.

Military Justice Adapts to AI-Era Crimes

The prosecution was handled by the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel’s First Circuit. In a statement, Capt. Anthony Williamson emphasized that while AI technologies present new investigative challenges, longstanding principles of accountability remain unchanged.

“This case highlights the ability of the military justice system to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancement,” Williamson said. “Personal responsibility is not diminished because a crime was committed with the assistance of artificial intelligence.”

According to court documents, Cork used a publicly available photo of the victim and applied AI tools throughout 2024 to generate altered, sexualized images. He allegedly contacted the woman using multiple phone numbers, threatening in September 2024 to release the fabricated images if she did not comply with his demands.

Officials have not disclosed which AI software platform was used.

✈️🛰️Department of the Air Force Launches ‘Ringleader’ to Stress-Test All-Domain Sensor Fusion, Targeting Tactics

Secretary Troy Meink says DAF Battle Network infrastructure is ready for real-world experimentation as Air & Space Forces integrate ground, air and space sensors for rapid warfighting decisions.

COLORADO SPRINGS | The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is preparing to launch a new series of high-end experimentation exercises dubbed “Ringleader,” aimed at testing its ability to fuse data from disparate sensors across air, land, sea, cyber, and space — and convert it into actionable targeting decisions at operational speed.

Unveiled by Secretary Troy Meink during a keynote at the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, the initiative represents a pivotal step in operationalizing the DAF Battle Network — the Air Force’s backbone contribution to the Pentagon’s broader Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) architecture.

“Over the last few years, we’ve built out the necessary software, hardware, and network infrastructure — now it’s time to test it,” Meink said.

🤸No. 2 LSU Gymnastics Hosts No. 3 Alabama in Friday Night Heights Showdown With SEC Title Implications

Tigers ride 18-meet home win streak into top-three clash at the PMAC as Kailin Chio continues historic 2026 campaign.

📍BATON ROUGE, La. | Heavyweight SEC Battle Under the Lights

It doesn’t get bigger than this in February.

No. 2 LSU Tigers women's gymnastics (6-2-1, 3-2 SEC) returns to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Friday night for a top-three showdown against No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide women's gymnastics (5-2, 3-2 SEC) in what shapes up as one of the marquee meets of the 2026 college gymnastics season.

The clash, airing nationally on the SEC Network at 8:30 p.m. CT, features two programs ranked inside the top five on every event — and two legitimate national title contenders looking to sharpen their postseason résumé.

🔥 LSU Defends the PMAC Fortress

LSU enters the meet riding an 18-meet home win streak, having not dropped a meet in Baton Rouge since January 16, 2023. The Tigers are aiming to extend that dominance to 19 straight in front of what is expected to be another electric Friday Night Heights crowd.

Historically, Alabama leads the all-time series 102-33-2, but LSU claimed the most recent regular-season dual meet in 2025 — a road victory that signaled the Tigers’ continued ascent among the sport’s elite.

🏆🎾No. 13 Auburn Women’s Tennis Stuns No. 11 Oklahoma on the Road, Secures Fourth Top-15 Win of Season

Tigers sweep doubles point and ride three straight-set singles victories to a statement 4-2 SEC road triumph in Norman.

NORMAN, Okla. | Statement Win in Conference Play

The No. 13 Auburn Tigers women's tennis delivered one of its most impressive performances of the spring Thursday night, defeating No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners women's tennis 4-2 on the road to open conference play 2-0.

In a matchup featuring two nationally ranked programs and postseason implications, Auburn leaned on its doubles dominance and clutch singles play to silence a hostile Norman crowd and improve to 17-1 overall.

“Good win for the girls,” head coach Jordan Szabo said. “Great doubles point. Oklahoma is a tough place to play, and they have a great team that is really well coached. We got some revenge from last year, and I’m excited about the win.”

✊Breaking Yale’s Color Line: How Edward Alexander Bouchet Became America’s First Black Ph.D. Scientist

In 1876, Edward Alexander Bouchet earned a doctorate in physics from Yale, entering an elite circle of American scholars—yet racial barriers denied him the research career his brilliance foretold.

In the decades following the Civil War, as the United States struggled to define freedom and citizenship for millions of newly emancipated African Americans, one scholar quietly reshaped the nation’s intellectual landscape.

Edward Alexander Bouchet, born on September 15, 1852, in New Haven, Connecticut, became, in 1876, the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from an American institution. His doctorate in physics from Yale University placed him among the earliest American physicists in history—at a time when scientific research itself was still emerging as a formal discipline in the United States.

Bouchet’s rise was extraordinary not merely for its academic rigor, but for the social barriers he overcame.