Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) shares closed at $306.36 on March 2, 2026, down 1.63% or $5.07 from the prior session, reflecting broader market pressure from escalating Middle East conflict and investor caution over the company’s aggressive capital expenditure plans for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The Class C shares opened at $302.96, ranged from a low of $301.06 to a high of $308.14, and traded on volume of about 21.8 million shares. Pre-market activity on March 3 indicated further softness, with quotes dipping toward $298-$305 amid risk-off sentiment tied to oil price surges and regional instability. Alphabet’s market capitalization hovered near $3.7 trillion, underscoring its position as one of the world’s most valuable companies despite the recent pullback.

The decline followed a volatile February, when shares peaked near $345-$350 early in the month before retreating. Year-to-date performance has been modest, with GOOG down roughly 2-3% in 2026 after strong gains in late 2025. Over the trailing 12 months, however, the stock remains up significantly, reflecting sustained momentum in search, cloud and AI-driven segments.

The latest session’s weakness aligned with broader tech sector headwinds. Escalating U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran over the weekend triggered fears of prolonged energy disruptions, pushing Brent crude higher and compressing valuations for growth-oriented names like Alphabet. Analysts noted that while Alphabet’s core advertising business shows resilience, higher energy costs and macroeconomic uncertainty could indirectly pressure digital ad spending.

Alphabet’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, released Feb. 4, 2026, provided a strong backdrop. The company reported consolidated revenues of $113.8 billion, up 18% year-over-year (17% in constant currency), surpassing expectations. Google Services revenues climbed 14% to $95.9 billion, led by 17% growth in Search & other, 17% in subscriptions, platforms and devices, and 9% in YouTube ads. Full-year YouTube revenue across ads and subscriptions exceeded $60 billion, while paid subscriptions topped 325 million.

Google Cloud delivered standout performance, with revenues surging 48% to $17.7 billion, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, enterprise solutions and core GCP products. The segment’s operating income reached $5.3 billion, reflecting improved margins amid scaling efficiencies.

Consolidated operating income rose 16% to $35.9 billion, with a 31.6% margin (including a $2.1 billion Waymo compensation charge). Net income jumped 30% to $34.5 billion, and diluted EPS climbed 31% to $2.82, beating estimates. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted Gemini 3’s launch as a milestone, with first-party models processing over 10 billion tokens per minute via API and the Gemini App reaching 750 million monthly active users.

For 2026, management guided capital expenditures of $175 billion to $185 billion — a substantial increase — to meet surging AI demand and expand infrastructure. The outlook has sparked debate: bulls view it as essential for maintaining leadership in AI and cloud, while some warn of near-term free cash flow pressure and depreciation impacts on margins.

Analysts remain largely constructive. Consensus 12-month price targets cluster in the $340-$350 range, implying 10-15% upside from current levels. Recent commentary emphasizes Alphabet’s AI moat, with Search seeing record usage and Gemini adoption accelerating. Google Cloud’s run rate now exceeds $70 billion annually, positioning it as a key growth engine.

Challenges include competitive pressures in digital advertising, regulatory scrutiny (including ongoing antitrust cases) and the high cost of AI investments. Depreciation rose sharply in 2025, and further acceleration is expected in 2026, potentially weighing on short-term profitability.

Technical levels show support near $300-$305, with resistance around $320-$330. The stock trades at a forward P/E of about 27-29 based on 2026 estimates, reasonable given projected revenue growth of 12-15% and operating margin expansion.

Investors eye the next earnings report, expected around April 23, 2026, for updates on Q1 performance, AI monetization (including potential Gemini ads) and capex execution. Amid geopolitical uncertainty, Alphabet’s diversified revenue streams — from resilient Search to high-growth Cloud — offer defensive qualities within tech.

As shares consolidate after earlier highs, Alphabet balances near-term macro risks with long-term AI and cloud tailwinds, keeping it a core holding for growth-oriented portfolios.

Stanley Black & Decker said it will eliminate roughly 300 positions in New Britain, Connecticut, and close a manufacturing facility that produces single-sided tape measures as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.

The move is tied to what the company described as a sustained decline in demand for the product category. The New Britain site primarily manufactures single-sided tape measures, which the company said are becoming obsolete in certain markets.

“As a result of a structural decline in demand for single-sided tape measures, we have decided to close our facility in New Britain that predominantly makes these products,” Debora Raymond, vice president of external communications for Stanley Black & Decker, said in a statement to WFSB. “These products are quickly becoming obsolete in the markets we serve.”

EBAY CUTS 800 JOBS ACROSS COMPANY OPERATIONS JUST DAYS AFTER DROPPING $1.2B ON TRENDY GEN Z FASHION APP

The move is tied to what the company described as a sustained decline in demand for the product category. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Raymond said the company is focused on assisting affected workers through the transition, including exploring opportunities at other locations as well as providing severance and job placement support for both salaried and hourly employees.

The reduction affects approximately half of the company’s roughly 600 employees in New Britain as of 2024. Stanley Black & Decker said its world headquarters in the city will remain open. The company has not disclosed a timeline for the facility’s closure.

DeWalt power tools are displayed at a Home Depot store. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The decision comes as Stanley Black & Decker continues executing a multiyear cost-reduction and operational simplification plan. Since late 2023, the company has reduced its global workforce by about 7,000 employees and completed a $2 billion savings program that included facility consolidations and supply chain adjustments.

Stanley Black & Decker has been headquartered in New Britain since the 19th century, and its longstanding presence contributed to the city’s “Hardware City” identity.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont acknowledged the impact on workers and families, saying workforce transitions are difficult but expressed hope that affected employees will find new opportunities.

Stanley Black and Decker is assisting affected workers through the transition, said Debora Raymond, vice president of external communications. (Getty Images)

“Although Stanley has made the decision to discontinue operations for manufacturing outdated products, a change in workforce opportunities is difficult for employees, their families, and any community,” Lamont said in a statement to WFSB. “However, I am hopeful that these skilled workers will be repurposed with the help of Stanley Black & Decker, a company that will still proudly be headquartered here in Connecticut. My administration is working closely with local and state leaders to support affected workers and to reimagine the factory site so it can continue to create opportunity and strengthen New Britain’s economic future.”

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The company has not indicated whether additional workforce actions are planned at other locations.

FOX Business reached out to Stanley Black & Decker for comment.

Oscar-winning actor Christian Bale has cautioned his admirers against meeting him in person, insisting the encounter would lead to “terrible disappointment” as his real-life persona falls short of the intense, charismatic characters he portrays on screen.

The 52-year-old star, best known for roles in “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “American Psycho” and “The Fighter,” made the self-deprecating remarks during a red-carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight at the London premiere of his latest film, “The Bride!,” on Feb. 26, 2026. The comments quickly went viral, amassing millions of views across social media platforms and sparking a mix of amusement, admiration and defense from fans.

“I’m never cool,” Bale told the outlet. “Not in those instances. I don’t want to meet people that I see in films, I don’t want to meet my heroes.” He explained that he has observed fans’ reactions firsthand: “I see it in people’s eyes when they’ve watched my movies and loved them, and then they meet me and I see their eyes, that terrible disappointment about who I really am. And it’s true, what a disappointment. That’s me at my best in the movie.”

Bale advised following the adage “never meet your heroes,” applying it to himself with a humorous twist. “Definitely don’t meet me,” he said, emphasizing that the idealized versions of actors exist primarily on screen. The clip, shared widely on Instagram, YouTube Shorts and X, drew reactions ranging from “He’s the most humble actor” to “This is why we love him — brutal self-awareness.”

The interview resurfaced discussions about the gap between celebrity personas and reality, a theme Bale has touched on before. Known for his method acting and extreme physical transformations — including losing over 60 pounds for “The Machinist” and gaining muscle for Batman — Bale often embodies larger-than-life figures. Fans project those intensities onto him, only to find a more reserved, private individual off-screen.

Social media erupted with memes and commentary. On Instagram reels from accounts like Viral Pop and Entertainment Tonight, users posted captions such as “Christian Bale warns fans they don’t want to meet him, they’ll just be disappointed 😭” and “The disappointment we need.” Reddit threads in r/popculturechat praised his humility, with one top comment noting his real-life philanthropy, including support for children’s causes that keep siblings together in foster care.

Some outlets tied the remarks to Bale’s past controversies, including his infamous 2008 on-set rant captured on audio, which he later apologized for. The Daily Mail highlighted the 17-year-old incident in coverage, suggesting Bale’s self-criticism stems from awareness of his public image.

Bale’s latest project, “The Bride!,” directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, features him in a supporting role alongside Jesse Buckley and Penélope Cruz. The film, a reimagining of Frankenstein themes with a focus on the bride character, premiered to positive early buzz at festivals before its wider release push in 2026. Bale’s appearance at the London event marked one of his rare promotional outings, as he maintains a low public profile compared to many Hollywood peers.

Fans and commentators largely embraced the honesty. BuzzFeed called it “brutal self-awareness” that made people love him more, while Yahoo Entertainment and AsiaOne echoed the “terrible disappointment” line in headlines. Korean media, including Chosun, framed it as concern over the “gap between on-screen persona and real-life persona,” resonating with global audiences.

Bale has long avoided the spotlight outside work. He rarely engages in social media and has spoken about protecting his family’s privacy. In past interviews, he expressed discomfort with fame’s trappings, preferring roles that challenge him over celebrity status.

The viral moment underscores a recurring celebrity theme: the burden of fan expectations. Similar sentiments from stars like Keanu Reeves — often cited alongside Bale for humility — highlight how actors navigate pedestal placement. Bale’s warning, delivered with dry humor, served as both deflection and genuine reflection.

As “The Bride!” builds anticipation, Bale’s comments have paradoxically boosted goodwill. Online reactions leaned positive, with many calling him “real as f*ck” and appreciating the candor. One Instagram commenter summed it up: “Saying he’s not ‘cool’ automatically makes him the coolest actor.”

For now, Bale seems content letting his performances speak louder than personal encounters. His message to fans remains clear: admire from afar — the screen version might be the best he’ll ever be.

The U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer, nicknamed the “Bone,” has surged back into the spotlight with its high-profile strikes deep inside Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-led campaign against Iranian military infrastructure in early March 2026.

On March 2, 2026, U.S. Central Command confirmed that B-1B Lancers flew nonstop from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to target ballistic missile sites and command-and-control centers in Iran. The mission, involving multiple bombers, marked a shift from initial stealth B-2 Spirit operations to the Lancer’s high-payload, supersonic capability, signaling established air superiority and the ability to deliver massive conventional ordnance.

The deployment underscores the B-1B’s enduring role as a long-range strike platform amid escalating tensions. Here are 10 essential facts about the B-1B Lancer in 2026:

1. **Supersonic Speed and Massive Payload** — The B-1B reaches Mach 1.25 (about 900 mph at altitude) and carries up to 75,000 pounds of ordnance — the largest conventional payload in the Air Force inventory. It can haul 24 AGM-158 JASSM standoff missiles, JDAMs, cluster munitions or hypersonic weapons in ongoing upgrades.

2. **Variable-Sweep Wings for Versatility** — Its swing-wing design allows swept-back configuration for high-speed dashes and forward extension for low-altitude efficiency and loiter time, blending speed, range and maneuverability.

3. **Crew and Design Origins** — Four crew members — pilot, copilot and two weapon systems officers — operate the variable-geometry bomber, originally developed in the 1970s as a low-level nuclear penetrator before shifting to conventional missions post-Cold War.

4. **Key Specifications** — Powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofans (30,000+ pounds thrust each), it spans 137 feet with wings extended (79 feet swept), measures 146 feet long, stands 34 feet high, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 477,000 pounds with intercontinental range.

5. **Recent Upgrades for Modern Threats** — The Air Force pursues the “Super Bomber” configuration in 2026, including the Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylon program restoring external hardpoints for 50% more standoff weapons and integration of hypersonic missiles like the AGM-183A, bridging to the B-21 Raider.

6. **Combat Proven Across Decades** — The B-1B debuted in combat during the 1991 Gulf War and supported operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and recent 2026 actions in Venezuela and Iran, often flying ultra-long missions with aerial refueling.

7. **Ellsworth and Dyess Squadrons** — Active units operate from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and Dyess AFB, Texas. The March 2 Iran strikes launched directly from Ellsworth, demonstrating transcontinental reach without forward basing initially.

8. **Non-Stealth but Survivable Design** — While lacking full-aspect stealth like the B-2, the B-1B incorporates reduced radar cross-section features and excels in post-air-defense-suppression environments, as seen in Epic Fury after initial B-2 strikes cleared threats.

9. **Long-Range Missions Highlight Endurance** — Recent Iran sorties lasted up to 37 hours round-trip with refueling, showcasing the bomber’s global strike capability. U.K. approval for Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford basing now shortens future missions.

10. **Bridge to B-21 Raider** — With about 45 airframes in service as of 2026, the B-1B serves as a high-volume “bomb truck” until the stealth B-21 fully replaces it around 2036-2038, maintaining U.S. long-range bomber capacity amid peer threats.

The B-1B’s involvement in Operation Epic Fury — following B-2 strikes — highlights its role in degrading Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal after air defenses were neutralized. Analysts note the transition to the Lancer allows sustained, high-volume precision strikes once superiority is achieved.

As the conflict widens, the “Bone” remains a cornerstone of U.S. power projection, blending Cold War origins with modern upgrades for 21st-century warfare.

WASHINGTON — Two protesters were removed from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on March 3, 2026, as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified for the first time since the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis sparked widespread outrage and calls to reform or abolish ICE.

The disruptions occurred during Noem’s oversight appearance before the committee, chaired by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, with ranking Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois leading questioning. The session focused on the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, DHS funding amid a partial shutdown threat, heightened border security measures and the deadly incidents in Minnesota that have galvanized opposition to aggressive enforcement tactics.

The first interruption came moments before Noem delivered her opening statement. As she was sworn in and prompted by Grassley, a protester stood and shouted, “Kristi Noem, you should be ashamed of yourself!” and “Abolish ICE!” Capitol Police officers quickly escorted the individual from the room. Video footage shared by Fox News, APT and other outlets captured the brief chaos, with the demonstrator yelling as they were led out.

A second protester was removed shortly after, during questioning by Durbin. As the senator pressed Noem on accountability for deaths caused by immigration agents, the individual rose and shouted about “Americans killed by ICE” and accused Noem of failing to deliver justice to grieving families. The protester was swiftly removed, allowing the hearing to resume without significant delay.

Noem, the former South Dakota governor confirmed as DHS secretary in early 2026, defended the department’s actions in her prepared remarks. She touted “historic results” under President Donald Trump’s second term, including record deportations, enhanced border security and efforts to combat threats from Iran amid ongoing military operations. She described the Minneapolis incidents as tragic but emphasized that officers faced threats and that enforcement operations target criminal activity, not peaceful protesters.

The deaths involve Renee Good, shot by an ICE officer on Jan. 7, 2026, during what DHS described as a routine enforcement action, and Alex Pretti, killed on Jan. 24 by Customs and Border Protection officers while filming operations. Both were U.S. citizens, fueling protests in Minnesota and demands from local leaders for DHS to halt operations in the state. DHS has denied wrongdoing, stating agents acted in self-defense or under threat, though investigations continue.

Grassley acknowledged “mistakes have been made” in interactions but stressed the difference between protected speech and obstruction, noting officers should not face harm while enforcing laws. Durbin pressed Noem on transparency, use of force policies and whether the administration’s rhetoric contributed to a “hateful America,” accusations Noem rejected as mischaracterizations of lawful enforcement.

The hearing unfolded against broader tensions: a partial DHS funding lapse, resistance to mass deportations and the ongoing U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran that have heightened homeland security alerts. Noem highlighted border successes and threats from foreign adversaries, but Democrats focused on civilian casualties and civil rights concerns.

Social media amplified the disruptions, with clips from Fox News, NBC News and The Independent circulating widely. Reactions split along partisan lines: supporters praised Noem’s composure and called protesters disruptive, while critics hailed the interruptions as necessary accountability for what they termed excessive force.

Capitol Police handled the removals efficiently, with no arrests reported as of late afternoon March 3. Such outbursts are common in high-profile hearings on immigration, echoing past disruptions during debates over border policy.

Noem’s testimony marked her first major congressional appearance since confirmation, following limited December questioning. The session continued into the afternoon with exchanges on funding, Iran-related threats and immigration enforcement protocols.

As the hearing progressed, attention shifted to policy questions, but the early protests underscored deep divisions over the Trump administration’s immigration agenda and its human costs. Noem maintained that DHS prioritizes safety and rule of law, while opponents demanded reforms to prevent future tragedies.

The committee plans follow-up sessions if needed, with potential votes on DHS appropriations looming amid the funding impasse.