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This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BRK.B, ITOCY, MITSY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

The fallout of the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran led to the highest-ever activity on X, the platform’s owner Elon Musk confirmed on Sunday.

Musk made the statement in reply to Nikita Bier, the head of product at X. Bier stated on Saturday that the day had been “the biggest day on X in history.”

“Highest usage of X ever,” Musk replied.

The exchange came after the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes and drone attacks on multiple targets across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei as well as several other top Iranian officials, including the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

AMERICA STRIKES IRAN AGAIN — HAS WASHINGTON PLANNED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT?

Footage of airstrikes both against Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries spread across social media like wildfire throughout Saturday and into Sunday.

The strikes also quickly led to widespread arguments over whether the attacks benefited the U.S. and whether President Donald Trump had the authority to carry them out without approval from Congress.

Ben Rhodes, a top Obama-era official who helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, faced mass criticism after he tried to rebuke Trump for the attacks.

FROM HOSTAGE CRISIS TO ASSASSINATION PLOTS: IRAN’S NEAR HALF-CENTURY WAR ON AMERICANS

Rhodes argued on X that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “seem to be totally unconcerned about the human beings — on all sides — who will suffer.”

“Trump’s second term has been the worst case scenario,” Rhodes added.

Rhodes was quickly ridiculed by many conservatives on social media who pointed to the Obama-era Iran deal as a catalyst for allowing the situation to escalate to this point, and placing blame on the Obama administration for not taking the threat from Iran seriously.

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“Yes we were much better off with a president who drew redlines and failed to enforce them,” American Enterprise Institute fellow and Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen posted on X. “Team Obama might want to sit this one out.”

“Oh look the guy who literally created this mess in the first place has chimed in,” Republican digital operative Alec Sears posted on X. 

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have reportedly finalized plans for their long-awaited wedding on June 13, 2026, at the luxurious Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, according to multiple media reports circulating in late February.

The date, which falls on a Saturday and aligns with Swift’s well-known affinity for the number 13—her longtime lucky charm—has sparked widespread speculation among fans, or “Swifties,” who have long anticipated a meaningful milestone for the high-profile couple. Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed the details, but the reports gained traction after British television host Graham Norton appeared to hint at progress in their planning.

On Feb. 27, the official X account for *The Graham Norton Show* posted: “So exciting that @taylorswift13 has a date for her wedding now! #TheGNShow.” The message, tied to a rebroadcast of Swift’s October 2025 appearance on Norton’s BBC program, sent social media into a frenzy. During that interview, Norton had asked Swift directly if 2026 would be “the wedding year.” She responded coyly, “You’ll know,” before adding with a laugh that she planned to invite him.

Swift, 36, and Kelce, also 36, announced their engagement on Aug. 26, 2025, via a joint Instagram post featuring romantic proposal photos captioned, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The engagement came after more than two years of dating, which began publicly in 2023 when Kelce appeared on Swift’s Eras Tour and the pair were spotted together at NFL games.

The rumored venue, Ocean House—a historic, oceanfront luxury resort known for its privacy and scenic beauty—sits near Swift’s longtime Rhode Island property in Watch Hill. Reports suggest the couple selected the location for its exclusivity and proximity to one of Swift’s personal residences, allowing for a relatively low-key yet elegant celebration away from intense paparazzi scrutiny. Some earlier speculation had pointed to other locations, including Montana venues for added seclusion, but Rhode Island has emerged as the leading contender in recent coverage.

The June 13 timing makes strategic sense on multiple fronts. It falls during the NFL offseason, after the Super Bowl in February and well before training camp typically begins in late July, accommodating Kelce’s professional schedule. If Kelce opts to return for another season with the Chiefs—his contract runs through March 2026—the date provides a clear window for personal milestones without conflicting with football commitments.

Swift’s connection to the number 13 runs deep. She has referenced it repeatedly in her career, from her birthday falling on Dec. 13 to incorporating it into album tracklists, tour dates and even her social media presence. Fans noted that June 13, 2026, is the only Saturday the 13th occurs that year, adding to the perceived symbolism. Online discussions exploded with excitement, with many pointing out how the date fits Swift’s pattern of embedding personal Easter eggs into major life events.

Sources close to the couple have described the wedding as a “big party” rather than an intimate affair. Swift has emphasized in interviews that she wants to avoid the stress of a small guest list with exclusions, opting instead for a celebratory gathering of friends, family and industry figures. Norton, who received a personal invitation during his chat with Swift, appears to be among the confirmed attendees based on his recent comments.

The couple has kept most details under wraps, consistent with their approach to privacy amid intense public interest. Swift, fresh off her latest album cycle and tour commitments, has spoken vaguely about post-tour priorities, telling one interviewer that wedding planning would follow major professional projects. Kelce has similarly deflected direct questions, including a lighthearted exchange with his brother Jason on ESPN where he laughed off specifics.

As planning advances, the wedding is poised to become one of 2026’s most talked-about celebrity events. Media outlets from NDTV and Hindustan Times to E! News and Cosmopolitan have amplified the June 13 reports, often citing anonymous industry sources or fan sleuthing. While unconfirmed officially, the consistency across publications has lent credibility to the timeline.

For now, Swift and Kelce continue to make occasional public appearances, including a recent low-key date night in New York City spotted at Chez Margaux on Feb. 24. Their relationship has captivated audiences since its inception, blending music royalty with NFL stardom in a modern love story that has inspired countless headlines, podcasts and fan theories.

Whether the June 13 date at Ocean House holds or evolves, the anticipation underscores the couple’s enduring appeal. As Swift once sang about turning blank spaces into fairytales, fans eagerly await the next chapter in what has become one of entertainment’s most cherished romances.

Apple Inc.’s stock closed at $264.18 on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, down $8.77 or 3.21% from the previous session’s close, as broader market concerns over escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and potential oil price spikes weighed on technology shares. Despite the pullback, AAPL remains near its recent highs, with analysts highlighting resilient demand for iPhones, record Services growth and anticipated AI-integrated product reveals as drivers for potential recovery and gains through the rest of 2026.

Trading volume reached 72.4 million shares on the Nasdaq, reflecting heightened investor activity amid global uncertainty. The decline followed a volatile week where shares traded in a range of $262.89 to $272.81. After-hours trading saw a further modest dip to $263.55.

The drop came against a backdrop of geopolitical risks, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran prompting retaliatory actions and raising fears of disrupted supply chains and higher energy costs impacting consumer spending on premium devices. Apple’s heavy reliance on Asian manufacturing, particularly in regions sensitive to regional instability, added to caution among some traders.

Yet Apple’s fundamentals remain robust. The company reported record fiscal first-quarter results for the period ended Dec. 27, 2025, with revenue surging 16% year-over-year to $143.8 billion and diluted earnings per share climbing 19% to $2.84, both exceeding Wall Street expectations. iPhone revenue jumped 23%, driven by strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, while Services hit an all-time high with 14% growth to around $30 billion. Operating cash flow approached $54 billion, enabling nearly $32 billion in shareholder returns via buybacks and dividends.

CEO Tim Cook described the quarter as “remarkable,” noting an installed base exceeding 2.5 billion active devices and unprecedented iPhone performance across all geographic segments. The results underscored Apple’s ability to weather macroeconomic headwinds through premium pricing power, ecosystem loyalty and diversification beyond hardware.

Looking ahead, Apple is gearing up for a significant product event on March 4, 2026, with launches expected in New York, London and Shanghai. Reports point to new AI-enhanced wearables, a potential lower-priced iPhone model (possibly the iPhone 17e starting at $599), updated MacBooks and iPads. Bloomberg and other outlets suggest these could include advanced AI features, building on Apple’s push into generative AI companions and integrations.

Analysts view the March 4 event as pivotal for sustaining momentum. J.P. Morgan and others have highlighted AI companions as a potential game-changer, positioning Apple to capitalize on the AI boom despite lagging some peers in headline-grabbing announcements. Daniel Ives of Wedbush called 2026 potentially “monumental” for Apple’s AI execution, forecasting meaningful growth from monetizing the technology roadmap.

Market research from IDC forecasts a challenging year for smartphones, predicting a 12.9% drop in global shipments to 1.12 billion units due to rising memory chip prices—the largest-ever decline. However, Apple and Samsung are expected to gain market share, benefiting from brand strength and premium positioning. Apple’s minimal impact from memory costs in the December quarter positions it well, though a greater effect is anticipated in the current March quarter.

Institutional sentiment remains positive. Berkshire Hathaway’s Greg Abel emphasized Apple’s long-term compounding potential in the company’s annual letter, reinforcing confidence in its enduring value. Some hedge funds, including those linked to George Soros, have increased stakes, viewing AAPL as undervalued relative to its cash generation—nearly 28% free cash flow margins—and consistent returns to shareholders.

Wall Street consensus leans bullish. MarketBeat aggregates a Moderate Buy rating from 36 analysts, with an average 12-month price target around $291.70 to $293.41, implying roughly 10-11% upside from current levels. Other forecasts range higher, with some eyeing $300+ if AI and new products drive acceleration. Public.com cites a consensus Buy with targets near $287.95.

Challenges persist. Apple’s P/E ratio hovers around 33.4x, reflecting a premium valuation. Geopolitical risks, potential slowdowns in China (despite recent iPhone strength), and competition in AI from Microsoft, Google and others could pressure multiples. A stronger dollar or economic softening might also curb discretionary spending on high-end gadgets.

Despite Friday’s decline, Apple’s year-to-date performance in 2026 has been solid, with shares recovering from early-year dips and benefiting from the blowout holiday quarter. The 52-week range spans $169.21 to $288.62, with the all-time high closing price at $285.92 in December 2025.

As March begins, focus shifts to the March 4 event and upcoming fiscal second-quarter guidance. With strong cash flows supporting buybacks, a $0.26 quarterly dividend (yield ~0.4%) and ongoing innovation, Apple appears well-positioned to navigate uncertainty and deliver shareholder value in a turbulent 2026 landscape.

Investors will watch closely for signs of sustained demand and AI traction, which could propel shares toward consensus targets and beyond amid a market hungry for resilient tech leaders.

Thirty years ago, Congress passed Section 230 to help fragile internet start-ups survive litigation attempts on multiple fronts. In 1996, Americans logged on with dial-up modems and gathered on message boards. Lawmakers wanted to protect burgeoning companies from crushing defamation, copyright, and other lawsuits over something a random user posted. Congress aimed to nurture innovation, protect free speech, and let a competitive marketplace flourish.

That may have made sense then. Today it does not.

What Congress framed as a narrow free-speech shield became a permanent amnesty program for trillion-dollar Silicon Valley monopolists. Section 230 no longer protects speech. It protects power.

Instead of scrappy start-ups, Americans now answer to online oligarchs. Google. Facebook. Amazon. Apple. These companies do not merely host content. They control search, social media, online commerce, app distribution, and digital advertising. They shape what Americans see, read, buy, and believe. And they invoke Section 230 to shield themselves while they censor, silence, and cancel their political opponents.

UNDER OATH, META’S ZUCKERBERG SHOWED WHY BIG TECH CAN’T POLICE ITSELF

Congress granted platforms immunity for content users post, and Congress allowed them to moderate content in “good faith.” Lawmakers assumed competition would discipline abuse. If one platform censored too aggressively, users could leave for another.

That competition never materialized. Big Tech executives bought rivals, crushed start-ups, and leveraged network effects to lock in dominance. They turned platforms into monopolies. They used scale to entrench power. Even conservatives who distrust these companies must still use their platforms to reach voters, customers, and each other.

Meanwhile, courts expanded Section 230 far beyond its original purpose. Judges stretched the statute to cover conduct Congress never contemplated. Silicon Valley lawyers pushed aggressive interpretations, and courts accepted them. As a result, trillion-dollar monopolists now decide what Americans may say online while they coordinate with politicians and bureaucrats who demand crackdowns on so-called “misinformation.”

GOOGLE’S DECISION TO WALK BACK BIDEN-ERA YOUTUBE ACCOUNT BANS HAILED AS ‘HUGE DEVELOPMENT’ FOR FREE SPEECH

That is not a free market. That is government-enabled censorship.

Conservatives paid the price. Big Tech companies hunted down, censored, and canceled voices that challenge the Ruling Class. They deplatformed doctors and scientists who questioned COVID orthodoxy. They censored Hunter Biden’s criminal activity under the guise of “content moderation.” Americans would rather call it viewpoint discrimination. They deplatformed the sitting President of the United States of America.

At the same time, these companies insist they need blanket immunity to avoid liability for horrific content – human trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking – content they monetize through ads and engagement. They profit from the system at every step. But when harm follows, they point to Section 230 and deny responsibility.

JILLIAN MICHAELS: BIG TECH BUILT A DIGITAL DRUG — AND OUR KIDS ARE HOOKED

That is not neutrality. That is corporate welfare.

Section 230 does not appear in the Constitution. Congress created it in 1996, and Congress can reform or repeal it. No company possesses a constitutional right to government-granted immunity. When lawmakers grant special protections to powerful corporations, those corporations use that protection to accumulate even more power.

Washington made that choice. Washington can reverse it.

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT SLAMS BIG TECH FOR SEXTORTION, THREATS TO CHILDREN WHILE CALLING FOR KEY INTERNET REFORM

If Meta had competed against Instagram instead of acquiring it, Americans might enjoy more choices and less centralized control. If YouTube had competed with Google instead of merging into it, creators might not depend on a single gatekeeper. Consolidation strengthened censorship power. Immunity protected consolidation.

For three decades, Congress and federal regulators coddled Silicon Valley. They tolerated consolidation. They defended immunity. They ignored warning signs. Now, Americans live under digital gatekeepers who answer to no one.

Conservatives do not want bureaucrats to police speech. But we must refuse to let trillion-dollar corporations wield government-granted immunity while they silence half the country. We must reject permanent amnesty for politically biased monopolists.

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Thirty years is long enough. Congress should strip Big Tech of its Section 230 immunity. Lawmakers should restore competition, enforce antitrust laws, and hold platforms accountable under the same legal standards that govern everyone else.

Stop the amnesty. End the sweetheart deal. Repeal Section 230.

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The prices of gold and silver will remain in focus tomorrow after US-Israel’s strikes on Iran killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts expect high volatility as elevated geopolitical tensions can push investors towards safe-haven assets like precious metals.

Khamenei’s death, which was confirmed by Iranian state media earlier today, triggered warnings about sharp retaliation from Tehran. US President Donald Trump announced that the 86-year-old leader had been killed on the first day of what he described as massive joint airstrikes.

Geopolitical tensions trigger risk-off sentiment, shifting investors away from equity markets and towards safe-haven assets like gold and silver. The precious metals had seen a record bull run in the beginning of this year, strongly rallying amid Trump’s tariff flip flops and other uncertainties, before seeing some correction.

Expect volatility in precious metals

Gold and silver prices are set to remain highly volatile with a gap up in the opening session tomorrow as the Middle East conflict involving renewed US and Israeli military action against Iran continues to dominate global risk sentiment, said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.

“A sharp escalation in hostilities, with coordinated strikes and retaliatory moves is fueling uncertainty and diminishing hopes of a quick diplomatic resolution. This elevated geopolitical risk can drive investors toward traditional safe-haven assets like gold and silver, and widely expect a gap-up opening for bullion markets,” he said.

As global equities and risk assets come under pressure, capital tends to shift into precious metals, which act as a hedge against uncertainty, the analyst explained. “Earlier moves have already pushed gold and silver prices higher in recent sessions, and this momentum could continue if the conflict intensifies further. Energy markets are also responding, with crude oil prices rising on fears of supply disruption through key routes like the Strait of Hormuz, which further adds to risk-off sentiment and supports bullion interest,” he further said.
Also read: Crude oil prices to cross $100? What experts predict after US, Israel attack on Iran

Profit booking to follow?

However, the impact may not be uniform. If there are any signs of diplomatic developments or indications of de-escalation, precious metals could see profit-taking after an initial spike of 3-6%, Trivedi said.

“We would expect the ongoing rally in US treasuries, oil, gold, and silver to extend. For India, the impact is typically magnified: higher crude oil prices widen the current account deficit, stoke domestic inflation, pressure the rupee, and could lead to FII outflows as global investors reduce risk exposure,” said Nachiketa Sawrikar, Fund Manager at Artha Bharat Global Multiplier Fund.

Gold rose to near a one-month high on Friday, trading at $5,230.56 per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery settled at $5,247.90. The increase marked a 7.6% gain for February this year.

Silver also climbed, with spot prices rising 4.8% to $92.60 per ounce, recording a 9.7% monthly gain. Platinum increased to $2,350.34 per ounce, while palladium fell slightly to $1,775.31.

Bears likely to take control of Dalal Street

Indian capital markets are expected to see a gap-down opening tomorrow amid the rising uncertainties. Ashish Anand, Partner at Fortuna Asset Managers, said that financial markets will probably experience risk-off behaviour together with foreign FIIs possibly selling holdings while market prices experience intense and fast price changes during the day.
Will Sensex, Nifty react amid escalating Middle East war after Khamenei’s killing?

“Our advice to investors is simple: avoid panic-led decisions. Businesses need to implement volatility as a strategic tool, which should be handled with care. People who want to invest for the long term should keep their Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) running and distribute their money between reliable, strong, and fundamentally strong companies. A person needs to follow asset allocation rules, which include stocks, gold, and bonds, because these guidelines help through unpredictable market times. We believe wealth is built through discipline, not reaction and the key theme would be “patience over pace,” said Ashish Anand, Partner, Fortuna Asset Managers.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)