Helicopters Collide Mid-Air

"Two crew members were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided in midair while

battling a fast-moving wildfire west of Athens, as Greece continues to grapple with a devastating stretch of blazes fueled by extreme heat and strong winds.
The Bell helicopters crashed over the Psatha area while working to contain the fire. Greek fire officials said each aircraft carried a two-person crew. Emergency responders pulled all four occupants from the wreckage.
A Greek fire service liaison officer and a Danish pilot were killed in the crash. The two survivors, a Greek national and a British national, were injured and taken to a nearby hospital." TP

Leftists call for 'direct action' training with hammers after conservative leader bludgeoned to death

"The death of 78-year-old Ann Widdecombe should cause both ends of the political spectrum to recoil in horror and sadness. Instead, leftists are taking the alleged killer's means of committing the act as a page to add to their playbook.

Widdecombe was discovered in her home in Devon, England, on July 9 by a gardener after an assistant became concerned when she did not make a media appearance.
The alleged killer's method was beating Widdecombe 21 times with a hammer. According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, investigators found communist literature in Kerry's home along with newspaper clippings about Reform U.K.'s leader Nigel Farage. This was the party Widdecombe had been serving as an immigration spokeswoman.
When noting that Widdecombe was an outspoken defender of conservatism -- denouncing abortion and LGBT propaganda -- the picture becomes clear as to the motivations behind the attack.
The Post Millennial's Andy Ngo found a flyer from Palestine Action that he posted to social media platform X after the killing, in which the group was seemingly encouraging the use of hammers to harm conservatives." msn

Manchester synagogue terrorist plotted attack on IDF soldiers in UK

"The Manchester synagogue terrorist previously plotted an attack on a Defense academy where he believed Israeli soldiers were being stationed, a court heard.

Jihad al-Shamie, 35, held discussions in a mosque with Mohammed Bashir, 31, which were recorded on CCTV, Manchester Crown Court was told.
Bashir is facing jail for driving the terrorist on a reconnaissance mission to the UK Defense Academy in Oxfordshire, two months before al-Shamie attacked worshippers at Heaton Park synagogue last October.
The pair had also discussed getting “war ready” and how al-Shamie had “had enough of this world” in messages on phones held by the police but only examined after the attack.
The court heard the pair developed the plan to target Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers who they believed were being trained there." msn

Police seize ‘significant’ bomb being driven to Northern Ireland

"A car containing a “significant” bomb has been intercepted while heading towards Northern

Ireland, in a suspected New IRA operation.
Irish police believe the vehicle was being driven across the border for an attack, and were shocked by the sophistication of the device and the damage it could have done.
Isobella Perrie Sullivan, a 25-year-old law student, was charged with possession of explosives after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath." msn

U.S. Launches ‘Powerful Strikes’ on Iran After Attacks on Ships in Hormuz

"U.S. forces launched a series of what the military described as “powerful strikes” against Iran early Wednesday after Tehran attacked three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Central Command declaring the Islamic Republic’s actions amounted to “a clear violation of the ceasefire.”

CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to impose “heavy costs” on Iran for targeting civilian-crewed commercial shipping in an international waterway, describing the attacks as “unwarranted” and “dangerous.” The operation came as Washington and Tehran were implementing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending months of regional conflict and restoring safe navigation through the strategic waterway.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that one tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile on its port side, causing a fire, while advising ships transiting the strategic waterway to exercise caution. The attacks damaged three commercial vessels but caused no reported casualties." 

Breitbart

Hundreds dead across Europe as heatwave shatters records

"A scorching heatwave has killed hundreds of people across Europe this week, with Spain reporting the highest death toll as temperatures surged past 40C (104F) and records were shattered across the continent.

Spanish authorities have linked more than 200 deaths to the extreme heat, according to the country’s mortality monitoring system. Germany has reported more than 20 deaths, many of them drownings as people sought relief in rivers, lakes, and pools. France has confirmed several heat-related fatalities, including children, while Italy has also reported multiple deaths as hospitals treated growing numbers of patients suffering from heatstroke and dehydration.
The heatwave has engulfed much of Western and Southern Europe, with Paris recording its hottest June day on record at 40.9C and Britain registering its highest June temperature ever at 36.4C. Switzerland also set a new June record, while authorities across the region issued red alerts, closed schools, canceled train services and urged residents to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day." RT

Starmer 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine' Zelensky says, after British PM announces resignation

"Keir Starmer announced on June 22 that he would resign as the U.K. prime minister and Labour Party leader, a step that follows months of mounting internal pressure.
The departure is likely to trigger a leadership contest and deepen political uncertainty in one of

Ukraine's most vital allies.
Andy Burnham, Starmer's Labour Party rival, has been discussed as the likely next prime minister after securing a seat in parliament in last week's by-election.
During his resignation speech, Starmer listed "standing with Ukraine" and rebuilding relations with European allies as one of his government's main achievements.
"Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that the outgoing prime minister would always be a "welcome guest in Ukraine." KI

Self-Described ‘Socialist’ Andy Burnham Looks to Replace Starmer as British Prime Minister

"The United Kingdom is set to see its seventh prime minister in the past ten years, and it appears that man will be Andy Burnham, a veteran Labour Party Westminster insider who has sought to cast himself as a “socialist” working-class hero.
Andy Burnham will return to the House of Commons after having spent the past ten years outside of the London political bubble as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Previously serving as the MP for Leigh from 2001 until 2017, his return was orchestrated over the past year as it became clear that outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was unable to inspire public confidence." Breitbart

Russian frigate fires warning shots in English Channel

"A Russian vessel fired warning shots near a British yacht sailing on a dangerous trajectory in the English Channel, the Russian Defense Ministry has said, adding that the shots were fired when all other options had been exhausted.

The Admiral Grigorovich was sailing in international waters between the Isle of Wight and Normandy shortly before midday on Tuesday when its crew spotted the civilian yacht, the ‘Bright Future’ sailing “on a dangerous course that would bring it into close proximity with the warship,” the ministry said.
The Russian crew tried and failed to reach the yacht by radio, before firing signal flares and sounding a siren, neither of which succeeded in changing its course. When the yacht came within 150 meters, the commander of the Admiral Grigorovich decided to fire warning shots across its bow with small arms.
“Following this, the British-flagged yacht immediately altered course and moved away from the Russian warship,” the ministry said, adding that the Russian crew “acted in strict compliance with international navigation rules and took all necessary measures to prevent an incident.” RT

Riots ERUPT In Belfast After Migrant Attack

"Chaos has erupted in Belfast after a sickening attack. A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and making threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court. Under Northern Ireland law, the accused's name is not released before a court appearance. The victim — a man in his 40s — remained in a serious condition in hospital, having suffered serious eye, face and back wounds. Police commanders and political leaders have appealed for calm after anti-immigration protests across Northern Ireland threatened to turn violent. There has been widespread condemnation of the knife assault." SkyNews

Russia accuses France and UK of piracy over cargo ship seizure

"Moscow has accused France and the UK of engaging in “piracy” after French and British

naval forces intercepted and diverted a cargo ship sailing from Russia’s Murmansk to Cameroon in international waters.
The vessel, the Tagor, was stopped on Sunday, more than 400 nautical miles off the coast of Brittany, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. French authorities claim the ship was operating under a “false” flag." RT

Britain signs underwater drone deal with U.S. and Australia

"Britain, Australia and the U.S. have signed an agreement to produce

“cutting-edge” technology for underwater military drones.
The deal involves developing new technologies such as weapons and sensors that can be deployed from uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs).
John Healey, the Defense Secretary, announced the next step in the Aukus defense partnership project alongside Pete Hegseth, his U.S. counterpart, and Richard Marles, the Australian deputy prime minister, at a conference in Singapore." 

msn

Open-water deaths rise to 11 during record May heat in the UK

"Eleven people have died after getting into difficulty in open water across the UK during a record late-May heat episode. The fatalities include nine children and two adults. The Met Office said 35.1°C (95.2°F) at Kew Gardens provisionally broke the UK May and spring temperature record for the second consecutive day." W

Panicked Carney issues 'dangerous' threat over Alberta independence vote

"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday warned that a referendum vote to separate

Alberta from Canada could be a "dangerous bluff" that could backfire.
The referendum, which has been championed by Alberta's premier, Danielle Smith, has echoes to the United Kingdom's Brexit movement. Carney, who was governor of the Bank of England when the U.K. left the European Union, said he knows firsthand how referendum votes can get out of hand.
The vote, which is scheduled for later this year, is only a question of whether to hold a future vote on separation." msn

UK, France reject NATO plan to increase military aid to Ukraine

"The United Kingdom, France, and other NATO states have blocked a plan under which each

member would contribute 0.25% of their GDP to military aid for Ukraine.
Rutte did not name the members blocking the proposal, but a NATO source told the Telegraph that the opponents were the U.K., France, Canada, Italy, and Spain. "They’re not very enthusiastic about the idea," the source said.
The news comes on the heels of the U.K.'s surprise easing of Russian oil sanctions, dealing a further blow to London's image as one of Ukraine's most steadfast partners." KI

Miliband vows permanent shutdown of the North Sea

"Labour is to ban new oil and gas fields in Britain, making it far harder for any future government to reopen the North Sea.

A legal prohibition on new drilling will be included in the energy independence bill, part of the raft of new legislation set out by the King in his speech opening Parliament.
The bill will make Ed Miliband’s temporary moratorium on new drilling permanent, ensuring it would be far harder for a future government to reverse the ban. Labour also plans to legally ban onshore fracking.
A detailed note released by the Energy Secretary’s officials after the King’s Speech said the bill would “meet [Labour’s] manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields, including delivering the commitment to ban fracking”." 

msn

"They'll Be Laughing No Longer": Trump Rejects Iran Peace Deal Response As "Totally Unacceptable"

"Trump calls Iran's peace proposal response "totally unacceptable"

Iran warns of 'decisive, immediate' response to British or French

warships approaching Hormuz Strait.
Iran responds Sunday to U.S. peace proposal, finally submitting something official to Pakistan. Details not initially disclosed. Trump TS: Iran "playing games with the United States."
IRGC new warning: will unleash "heavy attack" on U.S. bases in region if more Hormuz aggression persists." 

ZeroHedge

Farage’s Reform UK Storms to Historic Gains in Local Elections

"Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will carry on as prime minister despite a disastrous set of local election results for Labour, while Nigel Farage has hailed a “big historic night” after Reform UK made major gains across the country.

Reform UK has gained over 1,200 councillors across the country, as well as taking hold of 12 councils so far, while Labour has lost control of 30 councils and has seen the mayoralty in Hackney go to the Green Party.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party has also lost in Wales after 27 years in power and first minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat.
The constituency results in the Scottish Parliament election have been declared, with the SNP winning 57 of the 73 seats.
The Green Party has won the mayoralties in Hackney, Lewisham and Waltham forest, and has won four councils so far.
The Liberal Democrats so far appear on course to record an eighth consecutive year of council gains, gaining more than 150 councillors, and taking control of Stockport and Portsmouth, and becoming the only party on Richmond upon Thames Council, but they lost their slender majority in Hull.
The Conservatives were the biggest losers of the night, dropping 674 seats, while Labour lost 187." msn

UK halts Chagos Island transfer after U.S. withdraws support

"The United Kingdom paused its transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after President

Trump recently withdrew his cooperation for the 2024 agreement.
The U.K. and the U.S. have shared a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos, since the 1970s. The agreement to transfer the islands to Mauritius, which would allow for continued use of the base.
The British government said it is permanently abandoning the agreement with Mauritius, stating that it cannot go forward with the transfer without U.S. support." msn

UK Defense Minister warns Putin of 'serious consequences' after covert underwater military operation

"U.K. Defense Minister John Healey warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of "serious consequences" Thursday after revealing a weeks-long military operation to deter Russian meddling in the North Sea.

"To President Putin I say we see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences," he cautioned.
The defense minister detailed an operation involving a Royal Navy frigate, a Royal Air Force patrol plane and hundreds of personnel deployed to deter a trio of Russian submarines that were detected near underwater cables in Britain’s economic exclusionary zone.
One of the submarines, Healey announced, was a nuclear-powered Akula-class submarine, while the other two were spy submarines from Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, also known as GUGI. Subs from this unit were directed specifically by Putin "to conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK" and its allies, Healey said." FOX