Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that more casualties are expected in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in Iran, with seven U.S. soldiers having been killed so far in the fighting.

Hegseth made the comment during an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired on Sunday.

“The president’s been right to say there will be casualties,” Hegseth said. “Things like this don’t happen without casualties.”

“There will be more casualties,” he continued. “And no one is — I mean, especially our generation knows what it’s like to see Americans come home in caskets, it’s — but that doesn’t weaken us one bit. It stiffens our spine and our resolve to say this is a fight we will finish.”

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks at the “Shield of the Americas” Summit in Miami, Florida, March 7, 2026. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

Six U.S. service members were killed in a March 1 Iranian drone attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, while supporting Operation Epic Fury. The U.S. military said a seventh service member died of injuries from an Iranian attack on troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1.

The U.S. and Israel last week launched joint strikes against Iran. Iran has retaliated, launching strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf Arab states, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Residents look on and take pictures as flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck as attacks hit the city during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA via AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi on Sunday told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that if the U.S. deploys ground troops in Iran, “we have very brave soldiers who are waiting for any enemy who enters into our soil, to fight with them and to kill them and destroy them.”

HEGSETH BLASTS BRITS, SAYS IRAN’S CHAOTIC RETALIATION HAS DRIVEN ITS OWN ALLIES ‘INTO THE AMERICAN ORBIT’

“We never give up, we never surrender, and we continue to resist as long as it takes,” he said. “We continue to defend ourselves and we are defending our territory, our people and our dignity. And our dignity is not for sale.”

When reporters asked President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One on Saturday about potential ground troops being used in the Iran operation, the president said there would “have to be a very good reason.”

From left, President Donald Trump, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, center, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth listen to a reporter’s question while traveling aboard Air Force One en route from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Miami, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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“And I would say if we ever did that, [Iran] would be so decimated they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level,” Trump told reporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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You may think you can spot a crypto scam from a mile away. But what if the pitch comes from what looks like an official Google AI assistant, answering your questions in real time and showing projected profits? That is exactly what scammers are doing now. Security researchers at Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity company known for tracking malware and online scams, recently uncovered a live “Google Coin” presale site featuring a chatbot that claimed to be Google’s Gemini AI. 

The bot walked visitors through an investment pitch, gave detailed return estimates and guided them to send cryptocurrency payments. Google does not have a cryptocurrency. Yet the site looked polished and professional, convincing enough to appear legitimate at first glance.

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Security researchers at Malwarebytes uncovered a polished crypto scam that falsely claims Google launched a new digital coin. (Photo by Helena Dolderer/picture alliance via Getty Images)

What you need to know about the “Google Coin” crypto scam

Researchers discovered a fraudulent website promoting a fake cryptocurrency called “Google Coin.” The site was designed to look like it belonged to Google and claimed the project was connected to its AI assistant, Gemini.

At the center of the scam was a chatbot that introduced itself as “Gemini, your AI assistant for the Google Coin platform.” It used familiar branding and visuals to make visitors believe they were interacting with a legitimate Google product.

When asked simple investment questions, the chatbot gave specific financial projections. For example, it claimed that buying 100 tokens at $3.95 each could turn into more than $2,700 once the coin was “listed.” The site displayed fake progress counters, countdowns, and claims of millions of tokens already sold. Once someone clicked “Buy,” they were instructed to send Bitcoin to a specific wallet address. The payment was final and irreversible.

There is no official Google Coin. The entire operation was built to collect cryptocurrency from unsuspecting investors.

How the “Google Coin” crypto scam works

This scam combines two powerful tricks, brand impersonation and artificial intelligence. First, the scammers created a website that mimics Google’s look and feel, including logos, design, and tech language. Then they layered in a chatbot that acts like a real AI assistant. Because many people are now used to chatting with AI tools, this interaction seemed normal and legitimate.

The chatbot is programmed with a tight script. It answers questions confidently, avoids admitting risk, and refuses to acknowledge the possibility of a scam. If you ask about company registration or regulation, it deflects with vague promises about security and transparency.

This means you are not debating with a clumsy scammer over email. You are interacting with software designed to persuade you around the clock. The chatbot can talk to hundreds of people at once, give each one personalized answers, and push them toward sending cryptocurrency. Once you send it, your money is gone.

This type of scam is dangerous because it’s interactive and appears credible. When a chatbot answers your questions in real time, it can lower your guard. You might think, “If this were fake, it would not sound so professional.” But that is exactly the point. AI allows scammers to scale up their confidence and polish.

If you fall for it, the financial loss can be immediate and permanent. Cryptocurrency payments cannot be reversed like credit card charges. There is no customer support line to call. There is no refund process.

Even worse, once you engage with a scam site, your contact details, email, or wallet address could be added to lists that circulate among fraud groups. That can make you a target for future investment scams, phishing emails, or impersonation attempts.

We reached out to Google for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

SPOTIFY VOTING SCAM EXPOSED

Scammers are using a fake “Google Coin” presale site with a chatbot posing as Google’s Gemini AI to lure investors into sending cryptocurrency. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

7 ways you can protect yourself from a crypto scam

Crypto scams are getting more sophisticated, especially with AI tools that make fake investments look polished and legitimate. The good news is that you can dramatically lower your risk by taking a few smart precautions before you invest or send any digital currency.

1) Be skeptical of “new” coins tied to famous brands

If you see a cryptocurrency claiming to be launched by a well-known company, verify it directly on the company’s official website. Major corporations publicly announce major financial products. If you cannot find confirmation on the company’s real domain, assume it is fake and walk away.

2) Never trust guaranteed or specific return projections

No legitimate investment can promise that your $395 will turn into $2,700. When a chatbot gives exact future prices or guaranteed multipliers, that is a red flag. Real investments carry risk and uncertainty. Promises of quick, predictable profits are classic scam tactics.

3) Use a password manager

A password manager creates strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and stores them securely. If scammers trick you into entering credentials on a fake site, unique passwords prevent them from accessing your other accounts. Many password managers also alert you if your information appears in known data breaches. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

4) Install antivirus software

Strong antivirus software helps detect malicious websites, phishing attempts, and suspicious downloads before they can harm your device. It adds another layer of protection if you accidentally click a dangerous link. This can stop hidden malware from being installed while you are distracted by a convincing scam pitch. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

5) Consider identity theft protection

An identity theft protection service monitors your personal information, such as your Social Security number or email, and alerts you if it is being misused. If scammers collect your details through a fake investment site, early alerts can help you act quickly before financial damage spreads. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

6) Use a personal data removal service

Data removal services work to remove your personal details from public data broker sites. The less personal information available about you online, the harder it is for scammers to target you with personalized pitches. Reducing your digital footprint lowers your overall exposure to fraud. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com. Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

7) Slow down before sending cryptocurrency

Crypto payments are fast and irreversible. Before sending any digital currency, pause and verify the recipient independently. Search for reviews, warnings, and official announcements. If the investment requires urgency, such as a countdown or “final stage” message, treat that pressure as a warning sign.

300,000 CHROME USERS HIT BY FAKE AI EXTENSIONS

The AI-powered scam mimics Google branding and uses real-time chat to build trust before requesting irreversible crypto payments. Google does not have a cryptocurrency, despite claims on a convincing “Google Coin” investment website. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaway

Scammers are no longer relying only on clumsy emails or obvious red flags. They are using artificial intelligence to create polished, persuasive conversations that feel real and responsive. When that fake AI wears the face of a trusted brand, it becomes even more convincing. The good news is that awareness is powerful. If you take a moment to verify claims, question guaranteed returns, and use protective tools, you dramatically reduce your risk.

Do you think AI is making online scams harder to recognize than they were a few years ago? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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New NHS prescriptions of hormone drugs to under-18s have been stopped after a review found evidence does not support their continued use.

The masculinising or feminising hormones have been available on the NHS for 16 and 17-year-olds diagnosed with gender dysphoria who meet certain criteria – but new referrals have been paused from Monday.

Any teenage patients in that age bracket currently receiving cross-sex hormones can continue to receive treatment, but it must be reviewed individually with clinicians.

The NHS England review found the evidence is too weak to show whether such treatment is beneficial or harmful to children with gender dysphoria.

It is understood the NHS is continuing to look at evidence for masculinising and feminising hormones for adults.

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Nurses win transgender case

A 90-day consultation on plans to remove the treatment as a routine procedure on the NHS has now begun.

The treatment will be paused throughout this period and while NHS England reviews the expected thousands of responses before making its final decision.

The hormones can cause irreversible changes, such as deepening of the voice when taking testosterone, or breast development when taking oestrogen.

Long-term gender hormone treatment can cause temporary or even permanent infertility, the NHS says.

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In the 2024 Cass Review into children’s gender care, Baroness Hilary Cass recommended “extreme caution” in providing such treatment, as well as a “clear clinical rationale for providing hormones at this stage rather than waiting until an individual reaches 18”.

A clinical trial into the impacts of puberty blockers on children as young as 10, launched in November, was paused last month.

This was before anyone had been recruited – amid concerns over the “unquantified risk” of “long-term biological harms”.

Use of the drugs to delay or prevent puberty was banned for under-18s in 2024.

Professor James Palmer, national medical director for specialised services at NHS England, said: “The NHS has exercised extreme caution when considering starting young people on this treatment – in accordance with the advice from Dr Cass – and as part of this action will now be pausing any new referrals for this treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds.

“The NHS continues to offer specialist support for under-18s managing gender incongruence, including mental health support and referral to specialist children and young people’s gender services where appropriate.”

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is indeed relocating to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

The joint venture between Fanatics and OBB Media, Tom Brady, and FOX Sports will keep its originally scheduled date of March 21, though it won’t be playing at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, Iran and others.

BMO Stadium is the host site for flag football in the 2028 Olympics. And, as the relocation is announced, so is the format of the event that will see Brady back on the field for the first time since his retirement in 2023.

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The Fanatics Flag Football Classic has been relocated from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles, where BMO Stadium will host the first-of-its-kind event. (Fanatics)

Team USA Football will be involved in an expanded format, as a first-of-its-kind competition will include 12-player teams. The first two will consist of current and former NFL stars, while the other will USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion men’s national team.

The first team, Founders FFC, will be captained by Brady and Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts, while being coached by the Denver Broncos’ Sean Payton. Then, Wildcats FFC will featured Washington Commanders young star Jayden Daniels and savvy Cincinnati Bengals veteran signal caller Joe Burrow, who will be coached by the San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan.

Also, Robert Saleh, who just took over for the Tennessee Titans, will serve as a defensive specialist for both teams in the event that will feature some of the best to ever play on an NFL field, and some of the most accomplished flag football players in the U.S.

The U.S. national team will be captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell “House” Doucette, while being coached by Jorge Cascade.

Making this event more fun is the fact that Founders FFC and Wildcats FFC will have a draft on March 18 to determine the 12-men teams. They will choose from a pool of 24 players, which includes Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, Super Bowl-champion receiver Odell Beckham Jr., ex-NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski, and WWE superstar Logan Paul.

FILE – Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady makes an appearance on the field before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan 5, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, File)

The Flag Football Classic has also added two members of the Class of 2026 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame — Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald. They will serve as commissioners for the event.

While the event wanted to kick off in Saudi Arabia, Brady did note in September 2025 how this was just the start of something he hopes continues in coming years.

“It’s a multi-year commitment,” Brady explained at the time. “Obviously, we’re getting off to a good start. The first year will be kind of where everyone’s attention and energy is at. It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this, but all the players that I’ve talked to are excited about playing. 

“Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s all the NFL players’ first exposure to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it.”

General view of the stadium during the Leagues Cup Phase One match between Los Angeles FC and CF Pachuca at BMO Stadium on Aug. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian – Leagues Cup/MLS)

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The Flag Football Classic will air live on FOX Sports, FOX One and Tubi from 4-8:30 p.m. ET on March 21, while Fanatics will stream the event internationally on its YouTube channel. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart will serve as the host of the event, with comedian Druski providing commentary alongside him.

The games will follow modified Olympic-style flag football rules, which feature two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. It will be five against five, with each team facing each other in a round-robin format before the two top teams advance to the championship. 

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An improvised explosive device thrown during protests outside New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home could have been deadly, police said. 

A jar filled with nuts, ‌bolts and screws, that was wrapped in black tape with a fuse, landed in front of police during a counter-protester at the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” demonstration.

But the fuse on the smoking IED extinguished itself without any explosion, according to New York ​City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

The device was one of two that were thrown during the clashes, which broke out between two rival groups on Saturday, police said.

An NYPD bomb squad determined the object wasn’t a hoax or smoke bomb, but an “improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death”.

After the first homemade weapon was thrown, the same suspect was then handed a second device from another demonstrator, which was dropped and did not appear to ignite, the commissioner added.

Two teenagers were arrested at the scene and taken into custody, while the second device is being examined, Commissioner Tisch ​said.

Another four were arrested in connection with the disturbances, including a suspect who deployed pepper spray and three others for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.

Later the next day, investigators found another suspicious package in a car a few streets from the mayor’s Gracie Mansion in Manhattan’s East End Avenue.

Several streets were closed and “limited evacuations of buildings” were ordered as the bomb squad assessed and removed the device, police said.

At around 7pm on Sunday, police used a flatbed truck to remove a Honda Civic and the streets were reopened.

New York police are working with the ⁠FBI and ​the US Department of Justice on the investigation.

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The protest, led by far-right activist Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion, where Mr Mamdani lives with his wife in Manhattan, was met by a far larger group of counter-protesters.

Commissioner Tisch said she did not believe Mr Mamdani and his wife were home ​at the time of the violence.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Mamdani condemned Mr Lang’s protest but said the violence ​that followed it was more disturbing.

“Violence at a protest is never acceptable,” Mr Mamdani said. “The attempt to use ‌an explosive ⁠device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

A person linked with Mr Lang’s protest was one of the arrested suspects and charged with reckless endangerment, assault and unlawful possession of a noxious matter after allegedly macing counter-demonstrators, police said.

Mr Lang was previously charged with assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder and other crimes before being pardoned as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping act of clemency for defendants connected to the January 6 riots in Washington DC.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new policy that would ban foreign nationals and non-citizens from accessing its loan services — a continuation of efforts to refocus federal resources to ventures that align with American prioritization.

“The Trump SBA is committed to driving economic growth and job creation for American citizens,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a statement on Friday.

The requirement will apply to its Surety Bond and Microloan programs and is an expansion of changes made in February to the SBA’s 504 and 7(a) programs — loans for small businesses looking to finance working capital, equipment or acquisitions. Those earlier reforms prohibited SBA loans from going to businesses that are partially or wholly owned by foreign nationals.

 U.S. Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler speaks on February 26, 2026 in Plover, Wisconsin. (Matt Rourke-Pool/Getty Images)

The Surety Bond helps new or inexperienced contractors bid for government jobs that require bonding. Similarly, The Microloan program looks to offer small businesses loans of up to $50,000 through approved third-party intermediaries.

“Last month, we made it clear that SBA would not allow foreign nationals to access our core small business loan programs – and today, we are expanding that policy to include all SBA-guaranteed loans,” Loeffler said.

Kelly Loeffler pictured alongside other Small Business Administration (SBA) officials in the Oval Office in 2025.  (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SBA’s announcement comes on the heels of other, broader changes the agency has made to re-center its investments on U.S. citizens. In 2025, SBA began requiring citizenship verification across its loan programs and announced that it would move its offices out of so-called sanctuary cities, areas where local governments have instructed law enforcement not to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement efforts.

According to data from the SBA, the agency has 3,300 loans on the books for small businesses partially owned by lawful permanent residents, largely under the Biden administration. That figure represents 4% of the agency’s total loans — currently at 85,000.

Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the US Small Business Administration (SBA), during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, on Oct. 27, 2025.  (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SBA framed its policy change as a way to protect its limited resources and loan capital.

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“With our lending authority capped annually by Congress and amid record demand for access to capital, our responsibility is clear: the limited resource of SBA financing must prioritize American citizens who are building businesses and creating jobs here at home,” Loeffler said.

The expanded policy will go into effect 30 days after the agency’s announcement.

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