In a striking turn of events with profound geopolitical consequences, The UK Sunday Times reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a willingness — at least in diplomatic talks — to accept U.S.-backed security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a prospective post-war settlement. This development arrives at a moment of historic intensity, with the United States and Israel conducting major military operations against Iran’s regime in what U.S. leaders are calling a decisive strike against Tehran’s nuclear and missile threat.

President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, describing the development as “justice” for Americans and others worldwide allegedly harmed by the Iranian regime.

A senior Israeli official said Saturday that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the opening strike of Operation Roaring Lion, potentially ending the 86-year-old cleric’s 36-year rule over the Islamic Republic.

The FBI is on high alert following the U.S.-Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran overnight.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces have begun what he described as “major combat operations” against Iran, saying the objective is to eliminate what he called “imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. He also urged Iranians to topple the country’s current leadership.

Communist-run Cuba was preparing for more uncertainty Saturday after U.S. President Donald J. Trump suggested he may annex the island, though he indicated it would be less bloody than during the removal of Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Friday ordered all federal agencies to phase out their use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Anthropic, a leading U.S.-based AI firm valued at about $15 billion, following a high-profile dispute with the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, over military use of the technology.

Evangelist Franklin Graham, who has close ties to the White House, urged Americans on Saturday to pray for the U.S. military, which together with Israel’s forces began striking Iran earlier in the day.

Federal authorities have arrested 25 individuals in connection with a January 18 anti-ICE protest that disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the U.S. Armed Forces have launched a sweeping coordinated military campaign dubbed “Operation Roaring Lion,” targeting what Israeli officials describe as existential threats posed by the Iranian regime.