Iranian state television has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following the US-Israeli air strikes. The confirmation marks a historic shift in Iranian politics.
Continue reading at BBC News →The US and Israel spent months planning the operation that killed Khamenei, with crucial intelligence arriving just hours before the strikes. The attack was the culmination of long preparation.
Continue reading at BBC News →In his final pre-strike call with the Middle East commander, Trump reviewed operational details and casualty estimates, suggesting both careful planning and uncertainty. The conversation reveals how much information flows to a president before major military action.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Trump told *The Atlantic* that Iran's new leadership wants to talk with him and he has agreed to hold negotiations. The swift pivot toward dialogue suggests pragmatism may temper the military rhetoric.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →An essay traces Khamenei's four-decade grip on Iran, drawing on Orwell to explain how authoritarian systems persist through ideology rather than individual leaders. His death may matter less than the institutional structures that will replace him.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →An Atlantic writer argues that the elimination of Iran's nuclear program and proxy forces is a strategic victory, though cautions about celebrating death. The assessment weighs geopolitical gains against moral costs.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Critics argue Trump launched the Iran strikes without explanation, Congressional approval, or a coherent strategy for the Iranian people's future. The operation risks being military action without political vision.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Anthropic's leaders believed they were on track for a Pentagon deal until Pete Hegseth suddenly demanded the removal of ethical restrictions on the company's AI, revealing deep tensions over military AI development. The dispute exposes fundamental disagreements about AI governance.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →House Intelligence Committee member Jim Himes questions whether Congress should have authorized the Iran strikes beforehand. A Democratic voice challenging the administration's legal reasoning.
Continue reading at NPR Politics →Trump announced the strikes on Iran while explicitly calling for regime change, escalating rhetoric beyond the military operation itself. The declaration signals intentions beyond tactical military goals.
Continue reading at NPR Politics →House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pushing for a formal vote on a war powers resolution in response to the Iran strikes. Democrats are demanding a say in the conflict.
Continue reading at NPR Politics →Trump has ordered federal agencies to cease using Anthropic's AI tools, citing disputes between the company and the Pentagon over military applications. The move escalates tensions between government and tech companies over AI ethics.
Continue reading at Ars Technica →Iran claims a US-Israeli strike killed at least 153 people at a school, though the US and Israel dispute the claim. The allegation, if true, would represent a major civilian casualty incident.
Continue reading at BBC News →The Royal Society's journals will be published open access in 2026 thanks to library support for its Subscribe to Open model, making world-leading research freely available globally. A major win for scholarly communication democratization.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Louisiana's academic library network is transitioning to Clarivate's unified Alma and Primo VE platforms, expected to save the system over $100,000 annually. Consolidation of systems is improving efficiency while reducing costs.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Plug-and-play solar panels are gaining legal traction in state legislatures, offering renters and apartment dwellers a path to energy independence. Balcony solar is quietly democratizing renewable energy access.
Continue reading at Grist →Arborists are using "assisted migration" to help trees adapt to climate change, moving species northward to outpace warming in their traditional ranges. The practice raises questions about ecological intervention and what "natural" means.
Continue reading at Inside Climate News →Iowa's Linn County has adopted some of the nation's strictest data center zoning rules, though residents argue the protections still aren't enough. The battle between tech infrastructure and community quality of life is heating up.
Continue reading at Inside Climate News →Climate change is threatening whale populations that rebounded after commercial whaling was banned, creating a new conservation challenge. The ocean's transformation is reshaping marine life survival prospects.
Continue reading at Inside Climate News →The prestigious Lancet journal has harshly criticized RFK Jr.'s first year as health secretary, warning his tenure could take generations to recover from. A damning assessment from the medical establishment.
Continue reading at NPR Politics →Secretary of State Marco Rubio is navigating delicate diplomacy on Cuba while regional leaders warn of humanitarian and migration crises. US pressure for regime change is meeting resistance from neighbors.
Continue reading at NPR Politics →Illinois health officials turned to ChatGPT to help solve a puzzling outbreak linked to a county fair, with mixed results about whether AI actually helped crack the case. The unusual experiment reveals both promise and limits of AI in crisis response.
Continue reading at Ars Technica →Christine Lee, IT Technician II for Pasco County Libraries, has been named February 2026 Librarian of the Month by ByWater Solutions. Recognition of library professionals highlights crucial technical roles in information institutions.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Maryland's statewide interlibrary loan network (Marina) will use Auto-Graphics' SHAREit system to connect libraries and share resources across the state. Infrastructure investment promises to improve equitable access to collections.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Athabasca University and IGI Global are hosting a free workshop on open access publishing during Open Education Week. The session explores models and licensing for democratizing scholarly communication.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Libki 26.02 now includes Stripe payment integration and administrator controls for free printing policies. The open-source library technology update adds practical eCommerce and policy flexibility.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Grove's Aspen 26.02 release enhances patron discovery tools, mobile engagement, and integration with open-access content. Incremental improvements continue to expand library discovery capabilities.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →The Library of Virginia has joined the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, expanding the state's role in a major regional consortium. Membership strengthens Virginia's research library infrastructure.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →Troy Public Library in Michigan has launched Vega Discover, a next-generation catalog designed to make library collections easier for patrons to explore. Modern interface design is transforming how people interact with library resources.
Continue reading at Library Technology Guides →WhatsApp's data-sharing policy with Meta is facing legal challenges in India, where privacy concerns run high. The dispute reflects growing global tensions over tech company data practices.
Continue reading at BBC News →Nepal's "nepo kids" have faded from political discourse as corruption emerged as the central election issue following last year's protests. A populist shift in political priorities is evident.
Continue reading at BBC News →A teacher from a rural Indian government school won a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study in the US, but celebrations are being dampened by intrusive questions about her background. Achievement sometimes comes with unexpected social friction.
Continue reading at NPR U.S. →Iran has attacked not just Israel but also Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE—marking a shift from bilateral conflict toward broader regional warfare. The strikes suggest Tehran is willing to challenge the entire Gulf order.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in a joint US-Israeli operation, with Trump signaling openness to talks with new Iranian leadership. The strike represents a dramatic shift in the region's power dynamics.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →Three American service members have been killed and five seriously wounded in military operations targeting Iran. This marks the human cost of the escalating regional conflict.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →Israel has emerged as far more than a minor partner in the Iran conflict, with Israeli forces executing roughly half the opening wave of strikes. The collaboration reveals how deeply integrated US and Israeli military operations have become.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Iran's National Security Council has effectively run the country since June and will likely continue doing so even after a new supreme leader is appointed, suggesting the regime's transformation may be structural rather than personal. Institutional power matters more than individual leadership.
Continue reading at The Atlantic →Legal experts debate whether Trump had constitutional authority to attack Iran without Congressional approval. The question highlights ongoing tensions over war powers in the modern era.
Continue reading at BBC U.S. →Congress is grappling with Trump's decision to strike Iran without explicit authorization, setting the stage for heated debates over war powers this week. Constitutional questions about executive authority are front and center.
Continue reading at The Hill →Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark Warner discusses the intelligence behind the US strikes on Iran. A key voice on national security offers perspective on the operation.
Continue reading at NPR U.S. →Nine people have died in missile attacks on Israel as Iran retaliates for the US-Israeli strikes, with casualties reported across multiple Middle Eastern locations. Regional retaliation is escalating quickly.
Continue reading at BBC News →Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones at Israel and four Gulf Arab countries hosting US bases in response to the US-Israeli strikes. The cycle of escalation is underway.
Continue reading at BBC News →Iranian strikes on Dubai and Abu Dhabi have damaged luxury infrastructure and disrupted major transportation hubs, forcing the UAE to close its airspace. The attacks shatter perceptions of Gulf stability.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →Iran's attacks on Gulf Arab states suggest a strategy targeting not just US military bases but also civilian infrastructure. The strikes reveal broader regional tensions beyond US-Iran dynamics.
Continue reading at BBC News →Iran's leadership is scrambling to project stability even as US and Israeli strikes continue, raising questions about the regime's ability to endure. The institutional facade is under serious strain.
Continue reading at BBC News →Palestinians worry that international attention on the new Iran conflict will overshadow ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The timing raises questions about regional priorities.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →World leaders are calling for peace and negotiations after the US-Israeli strikes killed Khamenei, though anger and calls for retaliation are also erupting across the region. The international response reflects deep divisions over the operation.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →The Texas bar shooting that killed two people and wounded fourteen is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism by the FBI. The motive suggests ideological extremism beyond typical gun violence.
Continue reading at BBC News →A shooting at an Austin bar that killed three people, including the gunman, may have been motivated by anti-American sentiment based on the suspect's clothing. The FBI is investigating potential terrorism connections.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →A small earthquake near the Nebraska-Kansas border was felt by residents, with damage assessment still underway. A local reminder that seismic activity knows no borders.
Continue reading at KETV Omaha →