A barrage of Iranian strikes caused havoc across the Gulf on Saturday, shattering the aura of peace so highly prized by the oil-rich region's wealthy rulers.
For weeks, Iranians had been nervously anticipating another attack by the United States and Israel, despite Tehran and Washington holding negotiations aimed at averting a violent showdown.
Across Israel, city streets stood deserted on Saturday as residents took cover in shelters, while the blasts from Iranian missiles being intercepted reverberated overhead.
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Politics
"War is no good but it's better than the regime killing our children," said a 39-year-old Iranian in Istanbul, confessing he was "happy" that US and Israeli warplanes were attacking Iran.
February 28, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Australia captain Sam Kerr admitted Saturday she was still only "85 percent" fit leading into the Women's Asian Cup, but the Chelsea striker warned she was starting to hit her peak again.
February 28, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Inter Miami will visit the White House in March to mark the club's 2025 MLS Cup triumph, with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi expected to attend, the Miami Herald reported Friday.
February 28, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's injury return with a hard-fought 127-121 NBA overtime victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
February 28, 2026
A group of Zimbabwe superfans told AFP "it felt surreal" to be watching their team in the Super Eights in India -- days after the colourful group had returned home thinking their T20 World Cup odyssey was over.
February 28, 2026
Things to know
Perched on the edge of the rugged Yorkshire moors that inspired Emily Bronte to write her masterpiece "Wuthering Heights", the quaint village of Haworth has long been a place of literary pilgrimage.
February 28, 2026
RECENT NEWS
At least 20 people were killed when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital city La Paz, police said Friday, as crowds attempted to loot the site.
Pakistan air strikes on Afghanistan drew diplomatic support from Washington as Islamabad said on Saturday it would not stop military operations pressuring the Afghan government, which it accuses of backing militancy.
Marco Bezzecchi took pole position for the MotoGP season-opening sprint and grand prix in Thailand on Saturday, with defending world champion Marc Marquez starting from second on the grid.
OpenAI said Friday it struck a deal for the Pentagon to use its models in the US defense agency's classified network, with "safeguards," after President Donald Trump blacklisted AI rival Anthropic.
February 28, 2026
Culture
How do you transport a movie audience to a racetrack, recreating the visceral experience of roaring engines, the ear-splitting squeal of tires on pavement and the screeching of brakes?
February 28, 2026
RECENT NEWS
At least 15 people were killed Friday when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital city La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders grabbing cash.
Rebeca Grynspan is upbeat about her chances of becoming the next head of the United Nations, which she insists must become more agile in tackling the world's crises.
Western Force coach Simon Cron says new recruit George Bridge is an "amazing leader" after the former All Blacks winger starred in the Australian team's first win of the Super Rugby season.
To find the inspiration that would allow him to painstakingly transform the humans of "Sinners" into bloodthirsty vampires, makeup artist Mike Fontaine immersed himself in the study of wild animals.
February 28, 2026
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