An inquiry into alleged unlawful killings by British SAS units in Afghanistan has heard accusations of a cover-up by former UK special forces directors and other senior military officers. A whistleblower, identified as N1466, reported concerns about extrajudicial shootings, including the deaths of children, as early as 2011, but claims the chain of command failed to intervene. The whistleblower alleged that the director suppressed information and ordered a review of tactics to avoid scrutiny, despite awareness of the underlying issues. Evidence suggests the killings continued into 2013, with N1466 citing concerns about planted weapons and executions of detainees.
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A devastating fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed at least 44 lives, with 279 reported missing as of Thursday morning. The blaze, which began on Wednesday afternoon in a high-rise housing complex undergoing renovation, quickly spread across multiple buildings, prompting mass evacuations. Authorities suspect the fire’s rapid spread may be due to the flammability of exterior materials, and three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Emergency responders, including hundreds of firefighters, are battling the intense flames, which started on exterior scaffolding, while also struggling with high temperatures and falling debris.
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A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball upon takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11 others. The plane, departing for Honolulu, experienced a fire on its left wing before crashing and impacting nearby businesses. The death toll included individuals not on the aircraft, and authorities halted operations at the UPS Worldport hub while the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation. The airport was shut down with an expected reopening for Wednesday morning.
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An explosion at an explosives plant in rural Tennessee resulted in no survivors. Authorities confirmed that 16 people were missing after the blast. The cause of the Friday explosion is still under investigation as responders work to make the volatile area safe. The community has been holding vigils and offering support, while the investigation into the incident may take weeks or even months.
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Strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off southern Philippines, tsunami warning issued.
Well, that’s certainly a wake-up call! A powerful earthquake, measuring a substantial 7.6 on the magnitude scale, has struck off the coast of the southern Philippines. It sounds like the tremor was felt intensely across the region, with reports indicating it was a prolonged and very strong experience. Considering the magnitude, it’s easily larger than some recent seismic events we’ve seen. This is definitely a serious situation.
Philippine authorities, specifically the Philippine seismology chief, wasted no time in issuing a tsunami warning following the initial quake. The epicenter was located relatively close to the town of Manay, roughly 20 kilometers offshore.… Continue reading
A tornado struck Montezuma Creek, Utah, on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage to several homes and prompting the opening of a local school as a shelter. Despite the widespread destruction, including three completely destroyed homes, authorities confirmed no injuries. First responders, including the Navajo Police Department and the American Red Cross, quickly mobilized to assist displaced families, with another tornado also confirmed in the Cahone Mesa area. Officials are working to assess the extent of the damage as community members expressed shock at the unprecedented event, given the rare occurrence of tornadoes in the region.
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A catastrophic flash flood struck south-central Texas, leaving at least 24 dead and numerous individuals missing, including 23-25 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp. The Guadalupe River swelled rapidly, inundating the flood-prone Hill Country region, which is dotted with summer camps. Rescue efforts are underway, with over 230 people rescued so far, while anxious parents and families desperately search for their missing children, sharing photos and pleading for information on social media. Tragically, Camp Mystic, known as a haven for young girls, has been severely damaged with cabins washed away, turning it into a site of devastation and heartache.
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New evidence suggests Russian military involvement in the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, which crashed on December 25, 2024. An Azerbaijani news outlet, Minval, published an anonymous letter and audio recordings claiming to prove a Russian air defense officer authorized the missile strike due to poor communication equipment. The letter details the unit’s actions, including the firing of two missiles, one of which allegedly downed the aircraft. These new findings coincide with escalating tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, following a previous acknowledgement of the tragedy by the Russian President who referred to the crash as a “tragic incident” but stopped short of admitting responsibility.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood