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Defiant thumbs-up of US airman who cheated death: Hero shot down over Iran smiles in selfie after dramatic 50-hour rescue from enemy territory
A US Air Force colonel, known by the call sign “Dude 44 Bravo”, survived after his F-15E was shot down over Iran on 3 April. Injured during ejection, he evaded Iranian forces for almost 50 hours before a large-scale US rescue operation extracted him, making his survival significant both militarily and symbolically. The airman suffered…
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Syrian man finds his secret library untouched 15 years after he concealed it behind a wall and fled Assad and civil war
Abu Bilal, a Syrian man who fled the civil war more than 15 years ago, returned to Homs after Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell and uncovered a library he had concealed behind a false wall. The books and hidden cash were still intact, making the discovery a powerful symbol of perseverance and hope for Syrians returning…
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‘I spend a bagful of money and don’t fill a bag’: the energy crisis hits Bangladesh
Bangladesh is enduring a severe energy crisis triggered by the US war on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted crucial gas shipments from the Middle East. The newly elected BNP government, which came to power in February after overthrowing the previous Awami League administration, has struggled to manage…
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Why US plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia is controversial
The Trump administration has approved a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, worth about $24bn, marking a significant shift in US policy. Supporters say the deal would strengthen a major regional partner and advance US security interests, but critics fear it could expose highly sensitive American technology and upset the military…
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US to allow Iran delegation to attend UN meetings in New York as war passes half-year mark
The United States has granted visas to a smaller Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York. The decision comes as the US-Iran war enters its seventh month, with no clear end in sight and growing pressure on Washington to pursue a…
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Trump says Iran war will end ‘soon’ with NEW deal on the table… as devastating photos show US bases severely damaged in Middle East
President Donald Trump said he hoped the conflict with Iran was nearing its end, claiming Tehran was willing to negotiate a new deal and that the United States was communicating with Iranian officials directly. His comments came before talks with Gulf leaders and the UN General Assembly, where the possible shape of a postwar settlement…
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UN experts say grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran strikes
UN-appointed experts say there are reasonable grounds to believe the US committed war crimes in two February strikes in Iran that killed at least 177 civilians. They said attacks on a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd appeared indiscriminate and damaged civilian infrastructure, while the US rejected the findings and denied…
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Verified video shows wreckage of Saudi fighter jet shot down over Yemen
BBC Verify has confirmed that the Iran-backed Houthi group shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen’s Marib region using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile. The incident has been described by experts as a significant “propaganda coup” that demonstrates the Houthis’ advancing military capabilities and their willingness to escalate their conflict with Saudi Arabia…
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Ireland to boycott Eurovision again over Israeli participation and ongoing Gaza deaths
Ireland will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year, with RTÉ citing the continuing deaths and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The decision follows a similar announcement by Dutch broadcaster Avrotros and reflects ongoing protests over Israel’s participation, raising further questions about Eurovision’s political neutrality and its ability to unite broadcasters. Eurovision…
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Ireland says it will boycott Eurovision for a second year due to Gaza
Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE has announced that the country will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, marking the second consecutive year of boycott. The decision is based on opposition to Israel’s participation in the competition, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and loss of life in Gaza. This follows Ireland’s 2026 boycott, when it…