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UPDATED: Israel Strikes Iranian Capital, Targets Nuclear Facilities in Major Escalation

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JERUSALEM/TEHRAN (BN24) — Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran early Friday, striking multiple nuclear and military targets across the country, including the capital, Tehran, and the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The Israeli government said the strikes were a preemptive measure to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program and warned that the operation, codenamed Rising Lion, would continue for days.

The dramatic escalation follows weeks of rising tension and failed diplomatic talks over Iran’s expanding uranium enrichment activities. Witnesses in Tehran and Natanz reported loud explosions, and Iran’s state television confirmed air defense systems had been activated across several provinces.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public in a pre-recorded message, declaring the offensive a “decisive moment in Israel’s history.” He said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were targeting nuclear scientists, ballistic missile sites, and key figures within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

According to Iranian media and eyewitness reports, the Israeli assault began just after midnight local time. Residents in Tehran described hearing “several loud blasts,” while explosions were also reported near the Natanz facility, Iran’s most critical uranium enrichment site.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran’s top leadership had convened an emergency security meeting in response to the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran’s military placed its air defense systems on high alert nationwide, bracing for additional Israeli sorties.

Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency, preparing for what officials described as an imminent wave of missile and drone attacks from Iran or its regional proxies. Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “dozens” of targets were struck in the opening wave, and he warned that retaliation from Tehran was likely.

“The State of Israel has conducted a preemptive strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Katz said in a statement. “We expect a missile and UAV attack against Israeli civilians in the immediate timeframe.”

An Israeli military spokesperson added that intelligence assessments indicate Iran possesses sufficient enriched uranium to build up to 15 nuclear weapons in a matter of days, prompting the urgency behind the military campaign.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington was not involved in the Israeli military action. “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

CNN reported that President Donald Trump had called an emergency cabinet meeting at the White House to assess the developing situation. The Pentagon, meanwhile, has begun planning for a range of scenarios in the Middle East, including possible evacuation operations for American citizens.

News of the Israeli airstrikes immediately impacted global energy markets, with crude oil prices surging more than $3 per barrel. The spike reflects investor fears that a prolonged conflict could destabilize major oil-producing regions and disrupt supply chains.

U.S. and Iranian diplomats had been scheduled to hold a sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on Sunday. However, the Israeli offensive and Iran’s expected retaliation now place those talks in doubt. Mediators from Oman expressed concern that the crisis may have rendered diplomacy moot, at least for the foreseeable future.

President Trump, speaking on Thursday prior to the attacks, acknowledged the possibility of an Israeli strike but reiterated his preference for a peaceful resolution. “It could very well happen,” Trump said of potential Israeli action. “But we’re still hoping for a diplomatic path forward.”

The military operation marks one of the most serious escalations between Israel and Iran in recent years. While Israel has previously conducted covert operations and limited strikes against Iranian assets in Syria and elsewhere, a direct assault on Iran’s sovereign territory — especially its capital and nuclear infrastructure — constitutes a significant turning point.

With Tehran’s leadership under pressure to retaliate and international concerns growing over a broader Middle East war, diplomatic channels are strained to the breaking point. The coming hours and days are expected to be critical in determining whether this crisis spirals into a full-scale regional conflict.

AP/Reuters

Israel Could Strike Iran as Early as Sunday, U.S. and Israeli Officials Warn; Tehran Prepares for Massive Retaliation

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JERUSALEM/TEHRAN (BN24) — Israel is reportedly prepared to launch a preemptive military strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure within days if Tehran rejects a U.S.-brokered proposal to curb its nuclear activities, according to a Thursday report by The Wall Street Journal citing American and Israeli officials. The development marks the most serious escalation yet in a long-simmering standoff that has drawn in global powers and threatens to spark a broader regional conflict.

A senior Israeli official told the Journal that a strike could occur as early as Sunday unless Iran agrees to immediately halt its production of fissile material, which can be used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential operation with U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call earlier this week, two American officials confirmed.

The urgency comes as Trump’s self-imposed 60-day deadline for reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran expired on Wednesday. With no deal in sight, Israel appears poised to act unilaterally, despite Washington’s reluctance to support an immediate offensive.

Sources within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told The Sun that the military has spent months preparing for a high-risk strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. A senior intelligence official revealed that three air campaigns have been executed since April to dismantle key components of Iran’s aerial defense network — a strategic move designed to give Israeli jets a safer corridor into Iranian airspace.

“Fearful [of an Iranian counterattack]? No,” said an Iron Dome operator, identified only as Tsgt Y. “We’re prepared for anything that might come.”

Though Israel originally sought U.S. cooperation for any offensive action, senior aides to Netanyahu told The Sun last week that the prime minister has now finalized a strike plan that can be executed without American support.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed a severe and immediate reaction to any Israeli aggression. IRGC commanders warned of “more forceful and destructive” reprisals than any prior engagements. Intelligence analysts caution that such a strike may provoke a large-scale missile barrage on Israeli targets, as well as renewed momentum within Iran to complete the development of a nuclear weapon.

Dr. Raz Zimmt, a veteran of IDF military intelligence and expert on Iranian affairs, warned that even if Iran avoids directly targeting U.S. forces to prevent a wider war, the Islamic Republic could still unleash thousands of ballistic missiles against Israel.

“Iran is equipped with a vast arsenal of missiles that can cause significant damage,” Zimmt told The Sun. “The immediate response would be heavy strikes against Israeli territory. But more concerning is the long-term consequence: Iran might exploit the chaos to reconstitute its nuclear program in secret, away from international oversight.”

He added that Iran currently possesses enough fissile material to construct three to five nuclear bombs, though it is not yet technically capable of assembling a working device.

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has reported ongoing Iranian non-compliance with nuclear safeguards, raising further international alarm. Surveillance gaps and suspected covert enrichment activities have deepened suspicions that Tehran may be positioning itself for a potential “nuclear breakout.”

A French diplomatic source warned that the situation could spiral rapidly if Iran retaliates militarily. “You must have a kind of coalition against the reaction of Iran,” the official said, referencing earlier joint military efforts by the U.S., U.K., and France. “If Iran tries to strike back, you will see a coalition form immediately. But there will also be a political earthquake: Israel’s closest ally is the U.S., and Iran’s most powerful backer is Russia. A direct conflict risks dragging these nuclear powers into confrontation.”

The looming strike threat coincides with a scheduled sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on Sunday. Netanyahu has expressed doubt about the usefulness of continued diplomacy, arguing that the time for action has come.

“Israel regards Iran as enemy number one,” a senior Israeli diplomat told The Wall Street Journal. “The prime minister has been clear: we cannot allow them to obtain a nuclear weapon.”

While Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against developing nuclear weapons, he has also cautioned Netanyahu against taking unilateral action that could derail diplomatic progress. But with the deadline passed and no agreement reached, Israeli military planners believe the conditions for a strike have been met.

The United States has begun reducing its presence in the region, including evacuating non-essential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad. President Trump referenced the moves during remarks Wednesday night, saying, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place. We’ll see what happens. They can’t have a nuclear weapon — very simple.”

Israel’s military believes it has neutralized Iran’s primary aerial defenses in recent months, potentially opening a brief window to execute precision strikes on key nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow before Iranian countermeasures can be deployed.

Still, analysts caution that any attack, even if militarily successful, could have unintended consequences — not least of which is Iran abandoning its current nuclear posture and racing openly toward weaponization.

The region now stands at a pivotal moment, with Israel on the brink of launching strikes that could alter the Middle East’s strategic landscape for years. Tehran’s possible responses — from massive missile retaliation to accelerating a covert nuclear program — could ignite a prolonged and potentially global confrontation.

8 Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas; Territory Plunged Into Communications Blackout

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GAZA CITY (BN24) — At least eight Palestinian humanitarian workers affiliated with the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were killed in a deadly ambush in southern Gaza, the organization said Thursday, blaming Hamas militants for the attack. The killings, which targeted a convoy en route to an aid distribution center, have further destabilized humanitarian operations across the enclave amid a deepening conflict and widespread infrastructure collapse.

According to the foundation, gunmen opened fire on a bus transporting more than two dozen staff members late Wednesday. Several workers were injured, and some may have been abducted, GHF officials reported. The ambush threatened to halt the foundation’s food aid delivery but operations resumed on Thursday in defiance of what GHF called “cowardly murderers.”

“Despite the risk, we decided the best response to Hamas was to continue delivering food to the people of Gaza who are counting on us,” said John Acree, GHF’s interim director, in a statement.

Hamas has not commented on the attack. However, unverified social media reports from inside Gaza alleged the bus was targeted due to its perceived affiliation with Yasser Abu Shabab, a local clan leader armed by Israel and a known opponent of Hamas’s 18-year rule in the enclave.

In a Facebook statement, Abu Shabab denounced what he described as extrajudicial killings and the suppression of dissent. “Rumors of executions and killings are being spread by the corrupt, mercenaries, and criminals of Hamas in an attempt to sow fear in the hearts of those who seek change and liberation from terrorism, oppression, and unjust rule,” he wrote.

As the situation deteriorated, Gaza experienced a near-total internet blackout. According to the United Nations, Israeli military operations likely damaged the last active fiber-optic cable connecting Gaza to global networks, severing vital communications.

“Lifelines to emergency services, humanitarian coordination, and critical information for civilians have all been cut,” U.N. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said. “There is a full internet blackout, and mobile networks are barely functioning.”

The Israeli military declined to comment on the communications disruption.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that 103 Palestinians were killed and 400 injured by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours alone, including 21 people near GHF food distribution sites. The Israeli military reported killing three Hamas fighters after an anti-tank missile was launched toward its troops, and also said it struck a building near a medical center allegedly being used for weapons manufacturing.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ordered mass evacuations from multiple neighborhoods in central Gaza and later issued similar warnings for residents in Khan Younis and nearby areas. “The IDF is operating with great force in the areas where you are located,” said IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee in a message posted to X.

Israel also reported arresting several Hamas members in Syria overnight, accusing them of plotting attacks against Israeli targets.

Despite the ambush, GHF said it distributed a record 2.6 million meals on Thursday, operating under a new aid model implemented in late May. The United Nations has criticized the model as ineffective and dangerous, particularly due to recurring violence at aid sites.

“This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian ‘Hunger Games’ cannot become the new reality,” wrote UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on X. “The UN, including @UNRWA, has the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs.”

UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, has been accused by Israel of collaborating with Hamas, a claim the agency has repeatedly denied. Calls by Israel for UNRWA’s dismantling have intensified in recent months.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said more than 180 people have died near aid distribution points in the past three weeks, accusing Israeli forces of indiscriminate fire. Israel disputes those figures, claiming Hamas is responsible for much of the violence.

In addition to GHF operations, Israel continues to permit limited aid into Gaza, including flour for the few functioning bakeries. For the first time in months, Israel allowed trucks carrying humanitarian aid into northern Gaza overnight. Fifty-six trucks operated by the U.N. World Food Programme crossed into the war-ravaged region under Israeli coordination.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has continued for over 20 months following Hamas’s deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. All efforts to broker a cease-fire or lasting truce have failed. Amid the collapse of negotiations and mounting civilian suffering, international pressure on all sides to halt the violence and allow for uninterrupted humanitarian relief continues to grow.

Pentagon Chief Hegseth Says Contingency Plans Exist for Greenland, Panama During Tense House Hearing

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged Thursday during a combative congressional hearing that the Pentagon maintains contingency plans to take military action in Greenland and Panama “if necessary,” prompting bipartisan concern and sharp rebuke from House lawmakers. The disclosure came as Hegseth faced intense scrutiny over his handling of sensitive military operations and his use of encrypted messaging apps to discuss classified details.

The remarks surfaced during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, where Democratic lawmakers repeatedly clashed with Hegseth over transparency, national security protocol, and alleged politicization of the armed forces under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Responding to questioning from Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., about whether the Department of Defense had developed plans for forcibly taking Greenland or Panama, Hegseth replied, “Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency,” repeating the phrase multiple times despite attempts by committee members to clarify whether such plans involved active invasion scenarios.

Though it is standard for the Pentagon to prepare for a wide range of hypothetical global conflicts, Hegseth’s evasive tone raised alarms. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, quickly interjected to clarify the record.

“It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?” Turner asked. When Hegseth attempted to reiterate his position on contingency planning, Turner cut him off, stating, “I sure as hell hope that is not your testimony.”

Hegseth eventually offered a vague reassurance: “We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats.”

Tensions in the hearing room boiled over as Hegseth, who has served as defense secretary under Trump since early in his second term, repeatedly refused to provide direct answers to yes-or-no questions, particularly around his alleged use of private Signal chats to coordinate U.S. military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a Marine Corps veteran, pressed Hegseth about the potential disclosure of classified strike details in private messages to both fellow officials and family members. Hegseth maintained that the classification markings could not be discussed, but also argued that the information he shared was not classified — a contradiction that Moulton pounced on.

“You can very well disclose whether or not it was classified,” Moulton said.

“What’s not classified is that it was an incredible, successful mission,” Hegseth responded, brushing off concerns.

Hegseth refused to say whether he would take responsibility if an inspector general report — expected in the coming weeks — finds that he mishandled classified materials. Asked if he would apologize to the family of a pilot whose life may have been endangered by the breach, he replied, “I don’t apologize for success.”

Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage throughout the hours-long session, accusing Hegseth of evading accountability and undermining military integrity. At one point, Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., shouted, “You’re an embarrassment to this country. You’re unfit to lead. You should just get the hell out.”

GOP lawmakers, meanwhile, repeatedly defended Hegseth, accusing Democrats of disrespecting the secretary and politicizing the hearing. Hegseth said he was “happy to take the arrows” for making tough decisions, insisting his actions were in the country’s best interest.

Also under the microscope was a recent speech by President Trump at Fort Bragg, where members of the 82nd Airborne Division in uniform were directed to stand behind him as he delivered partisan attacks against President Joe Biden. The event featured cheering troops, a pop-up MAGA merchandise stand, and images that raised concerns over politicization of the military.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who appeared alongside Hegseth, told lawmakers he was unaware of any violations but reaffirmed that service members must remain apolitical.

Hegseth also came under fire over his views on women and transgender troops. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., challenged him on whether women were capable of fulfilling combat duties. Hegseth replied, “It depends on the context,” citing physical differences in how equipment is carried.

He has previously stated that women should not serve in direct combat roles, though he noted during the hearing that the number of female recruits has increased under the Trump administration. Hegseth insisted that standards should be “high and equal.”

When Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., highlighted the service records of three transgender women being forced out under a Pentagon directive banning transgender personnel, Hegseth initially praised their accomplishments but backtracked upon learning of their gender identity.

The renewed interest in Greenland — a mineral-rich, autonomous territory of Denmark — comes after Trump repeatedly floated the idea of acquiring the island. Those comments have been firmly rejected by Greenlandic officials.

“Greenland is not for sale,” said Jacob Isbosethsen, Greenland’s representative to the United States, during a panel hosted Thursday by the Arctic Institute in Washington.

Rep. Smith rebuked the administration’s posturing, saying, “Speaking on behalf of the American people, I don’t think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland.”

The incident adds to mounting concerns over the Trump administration’s approach to national security, civil-military relations, and institutional norms. The hearing underscores Congress’s effort to reassert oversight as executive power continues to expand.

A Pentagon inspector general report on Hegseth’s communications is expected to be a critical test of accountability within the Department of Defense. Until then, the controversy surrounding Greenland, Signal leaks, and the direction of military policy is unlikely to subside.

Sen. Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at Noem Immigration News Conference in Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed and briefly handcuffed Thursday during a heated confrontation at a Department of Homeland Security news conference led by Secretary Kristi Noem, escalating tensions over the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement actions across California.

The incident unfolded at a DHS press briefing in Los Angeles, where Noem declared that federal immigration authorities would “liberate” the city from what she called “socialist leadership” while vowing an expanded crackdown on undocumented residents. As she concluded her remarks, Padilla stood up from the audience and attempted to speak, shouting, “I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.”

Video from the scene shows a Secret Service agent abruptly grabbing Padilla by the jacket, shoving him away from the lectern, and escorting him out. Outside the briefing room, the senator was seen resisting as several officers pinned him to the ground in a hallway, handcuffing him while he yelled, “Hands off!”

Witnesses and reporters captured images and video of the scuffle, which quickly spread across Capitol Hill, triggering bipartisan concern over the handling of a sitting senator during a public government event. Democratic leaders denounced the confrontation as an egregious abuse of executive power, while Republican leaders described Padilla’s actions as disruptive.

From the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., condemned the treatment of Padilla, calling it “despicable, disgusting and so un-American.” He demanded a full investigation and accountability for what he called “the physical silencing of a senator performing his oversight duties.”

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Padilla failed to identify himself and “chose disrespectful political theater.” The agency defended the Secret Service, saying its agents acted appropriately under the belief that Padilla was a threat.

However, multiple video clips clearly show Padilla identifying himself as a U.S. senator prior to his removal.

Following the incident, Padilla, visibly shaken but uninjured, told reporters outside the venue that he was trying to obtain answers regarding “increasingly extreme immigration enforcement actions” being carried out by the federal government in his state. “If this is how they respond to a senator asking questions,” he said, “I can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, day laborers, and cooks throughout California and the nation.”

Padilla, who in 2021 became the first Latino senator from California when he was appointed to succeed Vice President Kamala Harris, has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, particularly the recent round of mass raids and detentions in California cities.

Vice President Harris weighed in on social media, writing, “Sen. Padilla was representing the millions of Californians who are demanding answers to this administration’s actions. His removal was a shameful and stunning abuse of power.”

The confrontation comes days after Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., was indicted on charges related to an altercation with immigration officers at a New Jersey detention center. The episode further underscores what Democrats describe as a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissent by the Trump administration.

White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, however, dismissed the incident, accusing Padilla of “grandstanding” for attention. “Padilla didn’t want answers; he wanted headlines,” she said in a statement. “Democrats are more outraged about this than the violence and lawlessness plaguing Los Angeles.”

Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Padilla’s behavior was inappropriate. “It was beneath the office of a U.S. senator,” Johnson said, accusing Padilla of “charging” at Secretary Noem.

Senate GOP Leader John Thune, R-S.D., confirmed he had spoken with Padilla and was attempting to reach Noem to understand the full scope of the situation.

Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill rallied around Padilla, describing the event as a dangerous overreach of federal power. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., warned that the Trump administration was making the U.S. “look more and more like a fascist state,” while Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., demanded Noem’s resignation.

At a press conference on the Capitol steps, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declared: “This is not how democracy works. What happened to Sen. Padilla is un-American. There must be accountability.”

As Congress grapples with growing concerns about executive overreach, the clash between Padilla and federal authorities represents a broader conflict between the legislative branch’s oversight duties and what Democrats say is an authoritarian drift under President Trump’s leadership.

Air India Confirms 241 Dead in Ahmedabad Plane Crash; British National Sole Survivor

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AHMEDABAD, India (BN24) — Air India confirmed Thursday that 241 people were killed when Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, leaving only one known survivor—a British national of Indian origin.

This photo shared by India’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) shows debris of a plane that crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (CISF via AP)

In a statement released by the airline, officials said the 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it plunged into a student hostel near B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital moments after departure.

“We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities,” Air India said. “The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.”

The lone survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national who was traveling with his brother. He was seen bloodied and limping away from the wreckage, according to visuals shared by emergency services and confirmed by local authorities.

In the United Kingdom, family members told Sky News that Vishwash called his father from India just before the flight departed—and again shortly after the crash.

“He called dad again after the plane crashed,” his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told Sky News. “He said he couldn’t find my other brother, Ajay. He said, ‘I don’t know how I’m alive, how I exited the plane. I don’t see any other passengers.’”

A flight manifest obtained by NBC News listed Ajay Kumar Ramesh as occupying seat 11J. The family said they have received no word on his condition and fear the worst.

“This is a miracle that Vishwash survived,” Nayan added. “But what other miracle is there for my other brother?”

Air India said a team of caregivers has been dispatched to Ahmedabad to assist grieving families. The airline pledged full cooperation with Indian and international investigators looking into the cause of the crash.

The disaster marks the deadliest aviation tragedy in India in over a decade and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

JetBlue Flight From Chicago Rolls Off Runway in Boston; No Injuries Reported

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BOSTON (BN24) — A JetBlue flight arriving at Boston Logan International Airport veered off the runway and into a grassy area on Thursday afternoon, prompting a ground stop and emergency response but leaving all passengers uninjured, officials said.

JetBlue Flight 312, an Airbus A220 arriving from Chicago, landed around midday when it unexpectedly rolled off the runway and came to a stop on the grass, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Port Authority.

“JetBlue flight 312 from Chicago to Boston veered off the runway and onto the grass after landing,” the airline confirmed in an email. “We will conduct a full investigation of the incident and will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand the cause.”

Passengers were safely evacuated using mobile staircases provided by emergency responders and transported by bus to the terminal. Photos and video from the scene showed dozens of emergency personnel surrounding the aircraft as the disembarkation unfolded.

The runway remained closed for several hours following the incident while crews inspected the aircraft and airport operations. A temporary ground stop was also issued for inbound flights, airport officials confirmed.

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation to determine what led to the runway excursion. No mechanical issues or weather-related causes have yet been disclosed.

The incident adds to a growing list of recent aviation safety concerns in the United States. Just hours earlier, an Air India flight bound for London crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing more than 240 people in one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.

Thursday’s runway incident in Boston comes as the FAA faces increased scrutiny over its oversight of air travel safety. A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicated declining public confidence in the safety of flying.

New York Father Charged With Murder After Allegedly Throwing 2-Year-Old Son Into Bronx River

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NEW YORK (BN24) — A 20-year-old father has been charged with the murder of his 2-year-old son, Montrell Williams, after surveillance video allegedly captured him throwing the child into the Bronx River, New York City police said Thursday.

Arius Williams was arrested and formally charged with two counts each of murder and manslaughter. The child was reported missing on May 10, and investigators now believe the boy was killed later that same evening.

According to law enforcement sources, video footage reviewed by detectives shows Williams lifting the toddler and hurling him into the river. The chilling act is believed to have occurred the night Montrell was last seen.

On Wednesday afternoon, a child’s body—believed to be Montrell’s—was discovered along the shoreline near the Whitestone Bridge by Ferry Point Park in Queens. Sources said the body, badly decomposed, was wrapped in a blanket and dressed in a diaper with a single sock remaining on one foot. Official identification is pending.

Montrell’s disappearance followed a contentious family dispute. Sources said Williams had attended a Mother’s Day gathering on May 10 with Montrell, during which he reportedly clashed with his own father before leaving with the child.

In the following days, Montrell’s 17-year-old mother contacted police, concerned about her son’s safety. However, officers reportedly informed her that they were unable to act because the child was with his father during a scheduled custody visit.

On Sunday, the situation escalated further when the parents encountered each other on the street. Williams allegedly brandished a knife and claimed he had thrown Montrell from the Bruckner Bridge, according to sources familiar with the case.

Williams was initially arrested Monday on charges of custodial interference after refusing to disclose the child’s whereabouts during a family court hearing. The murder and manslaughter charges were filed following the discovery of the body and further investigation.

The case has sparked renewed scrutiny of custody enforcement procedures and child welfare protocols.

1 Dead, Dozens Hospitalized, Several Missing After Air India Flight Crashes Into Medical College Hostel

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AHMEDABAD, India (BN24) — One person has been confirmed dead, at least seven are missing, and more than 50 people have been hospitalized after Air India Flight 171 crashed into a hostel building at B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 en route to London Gatwick, went down shortly after takeoff, slamming into the hostel that houses students enrolled in the college’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, as well as relatives of resident doctors.

The Federation of All Indian Medical Associations (FAIMA) reported on X that the deceased is the wife of a doctor affiliated with the institution. Among the injured are over 50 students, all of whom were admitted to the hospital and are currently in stable condition, according to the organization.

At least two or three students remain in intensive or high-dependency care units, while several others are unaccounted for. FAIMA stated that four to five students are still missing, along with three to four relatives of medical staff residing in the hostel at the time of the crash.

The organization also shared images of the devastation at the site, showing large sections of the building reduced to rubble and emergency crews working amid debris and twisted metal.

The crash has sent shockwaves through India’s medical and aviation communities, triggering calls for increased safety measures around urban airports and high-density areas.

Authorities have yet to release a definitive cause for the crash. The incident is under investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and rescue operations at the hostel site are ongoing.

Kenyan Runner Eliud Kipsang Dies at 28 in Washington After Cardiac Arrest

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PUYALLUP, Wash. (BN24) — Kenyan middle-distance runner Eliud Kipsang, a former collegiate standout in the United States, has died at age 28 after suffering cardiac arrest, officials and supporters confirmed Tuesday.

Kipsang passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, where he had been receiving intensive care following the medical emergency on Friday, June 6. His death was confirmed through a statement posted to a fundraising campaign established to support funeral and repatriation costs.

“Despite the tireless efforts of doctors and nurses, he tragically passed away on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025,” read the post.

A celebrated athlete in the U.S. collegiate track circuit, Kipsang made headlines in 2022 when he set a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record in the 1500 meters. He clocked 3 minutes, 33.74 seconds at the Bryan Clay Invitational, a time that held as the fastest in NCAA history until earlier this year when it was surpassed by Villanova’s Liam Murphy.

Kipsang competed for the University of Alabama, where he achieved multiple honors. In 2021, he finished as runner-up in the NCAA Division I indoor mile and won the NCAA East Region title in the 1500 meters. He also placed fourth in the same event at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships, underscoring his consistency at the elite collegiate level.

Tributes have poured in from across the athletics community in Kenya and the United States, where he had lived and trained in recent years. Known for his speed, humility, and relentless work ethic, Kipsang was widely considered a rising star in middle-distance running.

The cause of the cardiac arrest remains unclear. Organizers of the GoFundMe campaign noted that proceeds will assist with transporting his remains to Kenya and covering associated expenses for his family.

Kipsang’s death comes as a significant loss to both Kenyan athletics and the U.S. collegiate sports community, where he had left an enduring mark through his achievements and character.

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