Author: Darren Smith

All six aircrew aboard three US fighter jets survived after ejecting safely when their aircraft were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat operations over the country, American military authorities have confirmed. US Central Command issued a statement confirming the incident took place at 11:03pm Eastern Time on 1 March, when three F-15E Strike Eagles operating in support of Operation Epic Fury were brought down over Kuwait. “During active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences,” the…

A Muslim student society at University College London has come under scrutiny after publishing a tribute to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following his death, describing his passing as an “unimaginable loss” and calling on Shia Muslims in the West to “remain aware and ready.” The Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society, based at one of Britain’s most prominent universities, posted a statement offering “sincere condolences” alongside a prayer for the deceased leader. The group’s mental health team contributed to the post, which referred to Khamenei’s death as “martyrdom” and framed his loss as one felt across the entire Muslim world, or Ummah.…

Schools in a part of Edinburgh were placed on lockdown this morning after armed police were called to reports of a man carrying two large knives in the Calder area of the city, with locals reporting that a number of people may have been stabbed. Officers, including specialist firearms units and dog handlers, were deployed to the scene before 9am. Video footage that circulated online showed an individual in the street holding what appeared to be two large bladed weapons as police arrived. Wester Hailes High School was among the schools affected, with parents receiving a text message from the…

Sirens are currently sounding across northern Israel after six rockets were launched from Lebanon toward the north, with one striking the town of Shlomi. The warning systems have been activated in multiple locations across the north as authorities respond to the incoming fire. The IDF stated details of the incident are under investigation. Israeli authorities have stated they are prepared for hostile aircraft in Lebanese airspace and warned a strong retaliation is coming. If confirmed, this would mark the first rocket fire from Lebanon since the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect in November 2024. It is not immediately clear…

A British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus has been hit by explosions around midnight local time after a security threat was reportedly declared, with damage and casualties currently unclear according to cyprus mail. Strong explosions were heard at RAF Akrotiri in Limassol, though it is not yet known if the blasts are linked to events in Iran. The incident comes hours after Sir Keir Starmer granted US permission to launch defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites from UK bases. Sources have confirmed the explosions occurred but details about the extent of damage and whether there are casualties remain unknown.…

FBI officials have confirmed materials found in connection with the Austin bar shooting indicated a “potential nexus to terrorism,” with the gunman wearing a “Property of Allah” shirt and possibly motivated by US strikes on Iran when he killed two people and wounded 14. Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a US citizen originally from Senegal, was killed by officers in return fire after opening fire on patrons at Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in Austin’s Entertainment District just before 2am Sunday. He was found to have a Quran in his car and wore “Islamic” clothing during the attack. According to Fox…

A Royal Air Force Typhoon successfully shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatari territory on 1 March, marking the first British fighter jet kill since the latest outbreak of conflict, as Keir Starmer authorized the United States to launch defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites from UK bases. The Typhoon jet operating from Qatar as part of the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron used an air-to-air missile whilst conducting a defensive air patrol. The Ministry of Defence stated: “The Typhoon jet was conducting a defensive air patrol and used an air-to-air missile to shoot down the drone, ensuring the security…

Any Lucia López Belloza has refused to board a flight arranged by the Trump administration to return her to the United States after discovering court filings revealed plans to detain and deport her again upon arrival. The 20-year-old Babson College freshman told reporters Thursday: “I believed him for a second. I pictured stepping off of the plane and finally being free… I won’t mince words. I am angry. I am sad.” She stated an ICE officer had misled her by saying she would be released after landing. In court filings on Friday, the Trump administration confirmed Belloza did not appear…

Donald Trump has claimed 48 leaders have been killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran, as Israeli media reports former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is among the dead following Saturday’s coordinated attacks. “Nobody can believe the success we’re having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot,” President Trump told Fox News. “It’s moving along. It’s moving along rapidly. This has been this way for 47 years.” Ahmadinejad, who served as president of the Islamic Republic from 2005 to 2013, was killed in the airstrikes according to Israeli media. The former Tehran mayor’s tenure was defined by a hardline stance on…

Benjamin Netanyahu has stated “all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us” in reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stopping short of explicitly confirming his death following Saturday’s coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes. The Prime Minister addressed Israelis in a Saturday evening press conference, stating airstrikes have destroyed the Supreme Leader’s compound and declaring “there are signs” Khamenei is dead. Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied the claim earlier in the evening, with a spokesperson telling Sky News the Supreme Leader and president were both “safe and sound” following the morning strikes. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Khamenei is alive “as…