March 3, 2026
I’m Ellie, Particle’s head of editorial and communications. 👋 Our weekly newsletter starts here — with an intro to some top stories shaping the news.
On Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against Iran. The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials. Iran has retaliated with ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities and U.S. military bases and embassies across the Middle East. Iran's death toll has reached nearly 800, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. U.S. Central Command reported that six military members have been killed. Here’s what we know about where the conflict stands:
President Trump said he projects U.S. military operations in Iran to last 4-5 weeks with “the capability to go far longer.” 🔸 What Trump says he hopes the U.S. will accomplish with these attacks
Iran has retaliated in part by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, so ships carrying oil and gas are at a standstill with hundreds of vessels anchored offshore. 🔸 How this key waterway shutdown could impact the global economy
After two Iranian drones hit the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, the U.S. State Department ordered non‑emergency personnel to leave Bahrain and Kuwait.
🔸 Is the U.S. planning to retaliate?
Read on for more on the government’s deal with the newest iPhone, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Senate hearing, and what to expect from the Academy Awards based on the Actor Awards. Stay up-to-date on developing stories in the Particle app.
OpenAI rushed to make a deal with the U.S. Defense Department after Trump ordered federal agencies to phase out Anthropic. A few days later, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company would amend the contract to include new language clarifying its policies on surveillance. ➡️ How backlash to the government deal is affecting OpenAI
AI-generated art is not able to be copyrighted, according to the U.S. the Supreme Court. ➡️ What this means for AI artwork created based on text prompts
Apple’s new product drop includes the iPhone 17e, AI-powered iPads, and faster MacBooks. ➡️ When you can expect to get your hands on Apple’s new hardware
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee today to answer questions about deadly shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis. ➡️ Surprise pushback from Republican senators against immigration crackdowns
Primary season begins today in Texas. These elections are major tests for both parties ahead of November’s midterms. ➡️ Texas races to watch
The House Oversight committee released nine hours of footage from the depositions questioning former President Bill and First Lady Hillary Clinton about their ties to Jeffrey Epstein. ➡️ Highlights from the Clintons’ depositions
Paramount Skydance will combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into one platform after closing its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. ➡️ What to expect from a new unified HBO Max / Paramount+ streaming service
Earning an Actor Award, hosted by SAG-AFTRA and voted on by performers, is a key bellwether for actors hoping to score an Academy Award in less than two weeks. ➡️ These performances got the most recognition from their fellow actors
Social media was abuzz with one question after Jim Carrey accepted a film award in Paris over the weekend: Was that an impostor in Jim Carrey drag or did Jim Carrey get a new face? ➡️ How Carrey’s publicist responded to the clone conspiracy theories