MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2026

The Military Operation: "Epic Fury" The campaign is being conducted under two separate codenames:

Operation Epic Fury: The name designated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Operation Roaring Lion: The name used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strikes began early Saturday morning (local time) and have targeted several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Reports indicate that the initial waves focused on military infrastructure, missile production facilities, and high-level government compounds. Specifically, the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the presidential office in Tehran were reportedly hit.

Retaliation and Regional Escalation

Iran has responded by launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones.

Targets in Israel: Sirens have been blaring across Israel as defense systems work to intercept incoming fire.

U.S. Bases: The IRGC claimed responsibility for targeting several U.S. military installations in the region, including the 5th Fleet base in Bahrain, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and bases in Kuwait and the UAE.

Casualties: While full numbers are unconfirmed, Iranian state media has alleged that a strike hit a girls' school in southern Iran, resulting in significant civilian casualties. One death has been reported in the UAE due to shrapnel from an intercepted Iranian missile.

U.S. News

U.S. launches major strikes on Iran alongside Israel, with Trump monitoring from Mar-a-Lago and Pentagon officials involved.
Trump calls for Iranians to overthrow their regime, vowing to devastate Iran's military and nuclear program.
Reports of U.S. military bases hit in retaliatory Iranian strikes; potential for broader regional involvement.
Related domestic angles, like Supreme Court tariff decisions criticized by Trump and impacts on U.S. interests.
Conflict with Iran: In a massive escalation, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple targets in Iran today. President Trump announced "major combat operations" are underway, describing the mission as a preemptive strike to eliminate nuclear and regional threats.
Iranian Retaliation: Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf. Airspace has been closed across much of the Middle East, including Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar.
Domestic Protests: Law enforcement in Minnesota has indicted 30 additional people following intense anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protests at a local church.

Politics

Trump's announcement of "major combat operations" in Iran and explicit push for regime change.
Political reactions to the strikes, including expert analyses on risks of uncontrolled escalation.
Trump's criticism of Supreme Court rulings on tariffs, tying into broader economic/political debates.
Bill Clinton testifying in Epstein-related matters (a separate but noted political story).
Epstein Investigation: Former President Bill Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee, stating he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. This followed a day of testimony from Hillary Clinton.
War Powers Dispute: Following the strikes on Iran, Congress is reportedly preparing a War Powers Resolution vote to attempt to block or limit further U.S. military involvement without formal authorization.
AI Policy Shift: The White House has ordered all federal agencies to cease using Anthropic’s technology following a dispute over AI safety protocols and federal oversight.

World Affairs

Joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, with explosions in Tehran and Iranian counterstrikes on Israel and Gulf U.S. bases.
Global reactions, including Europe, India issuing advisories and flight cancellations to/from West Asia.
Potential spillover into broader Middle East conflict, with airspaces closed and civilians urged to shelter.
International concerns over escalation, including calls for de-escalation amid fears of wider war.

Education

U.S. Department of Education proclamations and updates, including National Career and Technical Education Month for February 2026.
Declining university enrollments forcing campus changes (e.g., dorm closures at places like Central Michigan University).
More older Americans enrolling in college courses for career advancement or personal exploration.
Other developments like FAFSA reforms and accrediting agency changes.
Education: The Department of Education issued a new rule to reduce barriers for new accrediting agencies, part of a broader effort to decentralize the federal education bureaucracy. Meanwhile, "New Majority" students (adults over 25) are now the fastest-growing demographic in higher education.

Economy

Impacts of the Iran conflict on global markets, energy prices, and economic stability (amid rising geopolitical risks).
U.S. economic growth slowdown reported in late 2025 data, with ongoing tariff and trade debates.
Broader discussions on critical mineral dominance and supply chains, potentially affected by Middle East tensions.
Market reactions, including Treasury yields dropping and safe-haven assets like gold rising.
Gold at Record Highs: Amid global instability, gold prices have skyrocketed, approaching $5,300 per ounce. Investors are flocking to the precious metal as a safe haven following the news of military action in the Middle East.
Supply Chain Resilience: The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (EXIM) launched Project Vault, a new initiative aimed at reshoring manufacturing and securing a "Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve" to reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Entrepreneurship Trends: New data shows a slight dip in "business births," though levels remain significantly higher than pre-2021 averages, suggesting the U.S. small business sector remains resilient.

Technology

OpenAI striking a deal with the Pentagon (including ethical safeguards), following Trump's cutoff of talks with rival Anthropic.
Advances in AI-integrated wearables (e.g., Apple's reported work on smart glasses and AirPods).
Other tech partnerships, like quantum tech MoUs and cybersecurity tools.
Small business tech updates, including AI tools and router security warnings.
OpenAI "Frontier": OpenAI introduced a new platform called Frontier, designed to help enterprises manage "AI co-workers"—autonomous software agents that can handle customer service and data tasks end-to-end.
Samsung Galaxy S26: Samsung has officially confirmed that its upcoming S26 series will feature global satellite communication and a new "AI OS" designed to compete directly with Apple’s ecosystem.
Security Warnings: Cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm over vulnerabilities in "Claude Code," warning that as AI integration deepens, hackers are using AI to exploit flaws faster than human developers can patch them.

Health

Study warning that flea/tick pills (isoxazolines) may harm beneficial insects and pose environmental risks.
Breakthroughs like turning methane into medical compounds via new catalysts.
Links between PFAS exposure and accelerated biological aging; benefits of short-term oatmeal diets for cholesterol.
Ongoing discussions on menopause HRT safety, geriatric care shortages, and addiction medicine approaches.
Maternal Health: Colorado reported a 60% drop in maternal overdose deaths, a turnaround health officials attribute to the aggressive distribution of Naloxone to new mothers.
Robotic Healthcare: A debate is intensifying in Alabama over the use of robotic ultrasounds in maternity care, as rural hospitals look for ways to provide services despite staffing shortages.

Sports

NBA action: Lakers vs. Warriors matchup, with predictions and stakes in the Pacific Division.
NHL games, including Canadiens vs. Capitals and Lightning vs. Sabres.
College basketball: WVU facing BYU and top prospect AJ Dybantsa.
Other: Oilers vs. Sharks, and general league updates (e.g., NFL combine notes).
T20 World Cup: In cricket, the Super Eights are in full swing with a critical matchup between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is fighting for a "last chance" survival in the tournament.
College Baseball: The Live Like Lou Las Vegas Classic saw Oregon defeat Arizona 7-2, while Texas dominated Coastal Carolina 8-1 in the Bruce Bolt Classic.

This is a fast-moving day, especially with the Iran conflict unfolding in real time—check reliable live sources for the latest developments.

EDUCATION SPECIAL
TOP US EDUCATION NEWS TODAY
TOP WORLD EDUCATION NEWS TODAY

The education landscape is currently undergoing a significant shift, with a heavy emphasis on accountability and a transition toward decentralized federal oversight.

Here is the top education news for today, February 28, 2026.

🇺🇸 Top US Education News

1. "Those Days are Over": Federal Accountability Crackdown

In a major speech at the American Council on Education (ACE) conference in Washington, D.C., Under Secretary Nicholas Kent issued a stark warning to college leaders. He stated that the Department of Education will no longer tolerate institutions accepting billions in federal funds while "resisting meaningful accountability."

The "Higher Education Compact": The administration is moving forward with a plan that prioritizes federal research funding for colleges that align their policies with federal goals.
Accreditation Overhaul: The Department is working to "break up a stagnant system" by speeding up the recognition of new accrediting agencies to foster competition.

2. Deconstruction of the Federal Bureaucracy

Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced new interagency agreements with the Departments of State and Health and Human Services. These moves are designed to "break up the federal education bureaucracy" and fulfill the promise of returning education authority to the states.

Foreign Gift Oversight: A new partnership with the State Department aims to improve the transparency of foreign contracts at US universities.
Department Closure: These partnerships are framed as initial steps toward the eventual closure of the Department of Education as a standalone agency.

3. Civil Rights & DEI Investigations

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) remains highly active in its crackdown on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Portland Public Schools: A directed investigation was recently opened into the district’s "Center for Black Student Excellence" over allegations of race-based discrimination.
The Ph.D. Project: 31 higher education institutions have recently reached agreements with the federal government to end their partnerships with this diversity-focused initiative.

🌍 Top World Education News

1. Canada and India Strengthen Strategic Ties

In Mumbai today, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand celebrated the launch of the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy.

Hybrid Campuses: The agreement, involving over 20 Canadian institutions, will facilitate new research partnerships, AI centers of excellence, and student exchanges.
Focus on AI: A major MOU was signed between the University of Waterloo and Tata Consultancy Services to accelerate digital innovation.

2. India’s Push for Global Rankings

At Delhi University’s 102nd convocation today, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan called for Indian universities to move aggressively up international ranking lists.

The Goal: The VP challenged the institution to enter the global top 300 within two years, with the ultimate goal of becoming the world's number one university. Over 120,000 degrees were conferred during the event.

3. Global EdTech Market Surge

New reports indicate the global EdTech market is projected to hit $312 billion by the end of 2026.

AI Integration: The focus has shifted from "convenience" to "measurable impact," with institutions across Europe and Asia prioritizing AI tools that provide instructionally credible data rather than just generating content.
Skill Portability: There is an increasing global trend toward micro-credentials—short, modular certifications that allow for easier professional mobility across international borders.

💡 Notable Trends to Watch

Phone-Free Schools: A growing number of US states and European countries are adopting "bell-to-bell" phone bans to combat digital distraction.
FAFSA Records: Despite administrative shifts, 2026 is on track to be a record-breaking year for FAFSA completions in the US.
Teacher Burnout: Globally, the "revaluation" of the teaching profession remains a crisis point as districts struggle with retention amid high workload and lower social prestige.

Saturday, February 28, 2026