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Six US Aircrew Killed After Military Refuelling Plane Crashes in Iraq

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Six US Aircrew Killed After Military Refuelling Plane Crashes in Iraq

All six crew members aboard a US military refuelling aircraft have been confirmed dead after the plane crashed in western Iraq, according to the United States Central Command (Centcom).

The US military initially reported that four of the crew had been found dead, but later confirmed that all six personnel aboard the aircraft had died. Officials said there was no evidence that either hostile or friendly fire caused the crash involving the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker on Thursday.

The tanker aircraft had been taking part in ongoing US operations linked to the conflict with Iran. It was one of two aircraft involved in the mission, while the second plane landed safely.

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Centcom said the crash occurred at about 14:00 ET (19:00 GMT) and that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched.

Following the crash, a search and rescue operation was carried out to locate the remaining crew members who were initially unaccounted for.

The US military said the identities of the deceased personnel would be withheld for 24 hours to allow time for their families to be notified.

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During a news conference on Friday, Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the aircraft had gone down while the crew were on a combat mission.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the crew, describing them as “American heroes” and saying their sacrifice would strengthen the resolve of the mission.

The KC-135 typically operates with a crew that includes a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator responsible for controlling the aircraft’s refuelling arm used to supply fuel to other planes mid-flight.

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Centcom said the crash occurred in friendly airspace. However, the region of western Iraq where the aircraft went down is known to host pro-Iranian militia groups. Iran’s military later claimed on state television that an allied group had targeted the aircraft with a missile.

The crash increases the official US military death toll in the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began two weeks ago, to 13.

The US military has now lost at least four aircraft during the conflict.

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Earlier this month, three McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighter jets were shot down in what officials described as an apparent friendly-fire incident over Kuwait. All six crew members aboard those aircraft were able to eject safely.

The KC-135 Stratotanker, manufactured by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has long been a cornerstone of the US military’s aerial refuelling fleet, enabling combat aircraft to conduct extended missions without needing to land.

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Donald Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks.

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Donald Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks.

Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, pointing to renewed diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilizing the region.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed a high-level meeting in the Oval Office involving officials from both countries. He described the discussions as highly productive, noting that they included JD Vance and Marco Rubio.

According to Trump, the United States will deepen its cooperation with Lebanon to strengthen its internal security framework, particularly in relation to Hezbollah. He framed the talks as part of a broader effort to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and reduce the influence of armed non-state actors.

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Calling the meeting “historic,” Trump said he is preparing to host Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun at the White House in the coming weeks. The anticipated visits are expected to focus on negotiating a more durable peace arrangement between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking again to reporters in the Oval Office, alongside senior U.S. officials and diplomatic representatives from both nations, Trump emphasized the complexity of the situation, particularly Lebanon’s need to manage internal dynamics involving Hezbollah. He indicated that Washington’s approach would combine diplomatic engagement with security cooperation.

Trump also suggested that progress on the Israel–Lebanon track could align with broader U.S. strategic efforts in the region, including ongoing initiatives related to Iran. He expressed optimism that simultaneous diplomatic advances could contribute to wider regional stability.

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Five Critically Injured After Head-On Train Collision in Denmark

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Five Critically Injured After Head-On Train Collision in Denmark

At least five people have been critically injured and 13 others hurt following a head-on train collision in Denmark, authorities have confirmed.

The crash occurred early Thursday on a railway line connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup, northwest of Copenhagen. Police said a total of 37 people were on board the two trains at the time of the accident.

Emergency services responded immediately after the collision, which happened at approximately 06:29 local time. All injured passengers were transported to hospital by ambulance or airlift, according to Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department.

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Local officials described the incident as deeply distressing. Trine Egetved, mayor of the Gribskov municipality, said she was “deeply shaken” and confirmed that those critically injured had been taken to the national hospital in Copenhagen.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern over what she called a “terrible train accident,” as authorities began investigating the cause.

The Danish Accident Investigation Board has launched an inquiry alongside police, examining all possible causes. Investigators say it is too early to determine what led to the crash but are considering multiple scenarios, including a potential signalling system failure or human error.

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The trains, operated by Lokaltog, were shown in footage with significant front-end damage, having collided in a wooded area.

Rail operator officials described the incident as one of the most severe imaginable in the industry and said efforts are now focused on gathering data to understand how the collision occurred.

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Hundreds of Wildfires Rage Across Florida and Georgia, Forcing Evacuations

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Hundreds of Wildfires Rage Across Florida and Georgia, Forcing Evacuations

Authorities in the southeastern United States are battling a surge of wildfires across Georgia and Florida, as dry conditions and strong winds fuel rapid fire spread, destroying homes and forcing residents to evacuate.

Fire crews in Georgia responded to 34 new blazes on Wednesday alone, burning at least 75 acres statewide, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. The largest of the fires, known as the Pineland Road Fire, has expanded dramatically to nearly 30,000 acres and remains only 10% contained.

In Florida, officials say the state is facing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with more than 130 active fires currently burning. Emergency services are working around the clock to contain outbreaks as conditions continue to worsen.

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Authorities in both states point to a combination of prolonged dry weather, strong winds, and limited rainfall as key factors complicating firefighting efforts. These conditions have allowed fires to spread quickly and unpredictably, increasing the risk to communities.

Evacuation orders have been issued in several affected areas, while firefighters continue to prioritise protecting lives and property. Officials warn that without significant rainfall, the wildfire threat could persist in the coming days.

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