Tag: news

Iraq extends airspace closure 48 hours; Jordan announces partial shutdown

Posted on by 2026news

ISTANBUL

Iraq has extended the closure of its airspace for 48 hours, while Jordan announced a partial daily shutdown, civil aviation authorities in both countries said Monday, citing escalating regional tensions.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority said it would keep the country’s airspace closed to all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft for an additional 48 hours starting at 12 pm local time (0900GMT) Monday as a “temporary and precautionary measure.”

The authority said in a statement carried by the state news agency INA that the decision followed “an ongoing assessment of the security situation and a comprehensive review of developments and regional tensions.”

Iraq initially closed its airspace Saturday following a US-Israeli offensive against Iran.

Jordan’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission also said in a statement it would implement a “partial and temporary” closure of the kingdom’s airspace to all arriving, departing and transit flights “in light of current regional developments and a risk assessment conducted in accordance with international standards.”

The closure will take effect from 6 pm local time (1500 GMT) until 9 am (0600 GMT) the following day and the decision will remain in force until further notice “to ensure the safety and security of civil aviation in Jordanian airspace,” the commission said.

The decisions come as Israel and the United States have conducted a military offensive against Iran since early Saturday, killing at least 550 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and US bases in countries across the region. Some of those attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, prompting condemnation from the Gulf countries, which have called for an end to the attacks.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US allies in the region. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to produce nuclear weapons. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-extends-airspace-closure-48-hours-jordan-announces-partial-shutdown/3846682

2 injured as knife-wielding man goes on stabbing spree in UK’s Edinburgh

Posted on by 2026news

Two people were injured after a man was seen brandishing two knives in a residential part of Edinburgh, prompting a major armed police response and public warnings to avoid the area.

The incident happened in Calder, in the west of Edinburgh, where emergency services were deployed following reports of a man with a bladed weapon. Locals said police activity began before 9 am, with several streets sealed off as officers moved in.

Confirming the injuries, Police Scotland said officers were called to reports of a man with a knife earlier on Monday morning. Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said the disturbance had been contained and there was no wider risk to the public.

“The incident is not being treated as terror-related,” Kennedy said, adding that officers would remain in the area to reassure residents.

Earlier, police issued a public warning urging people to stay away from Calder. “The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon,” the force said. “Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance.”

Residents described a prolonged and intense police presence. William Ramsay, who lives nearby, told Press Association he believed the man had entered the stairwell of his building.

“He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people unconfirmed,” Ramsay said. “Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours.”

Images from the scene showed at least six police vehicles outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, with armed officers positioned around the building as enquiries continued.

Public transport was also disrupted. Lothian Buses said its number 20 service was being diverted away from Calder until further notice.

Police have not released further details about the condition of the injured or any arrests, as officers continue investigations and maintain a visible presence in the area. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/uk-news/story/knife-wielding-man-stabs-multiple-people-in-uks-edinburgh-local-media-2876553-2026-03-02

Indian crew member killed after drone boat hits oil tanker off Oman coast

Posted on by 2026news

An Indian crew member was killed after an oil tanker was struck by an unmanned drone boat off the coast of Oman, triggering a fire and forcing the evacuation of all crew on board, officials confirmed on Monday, as hostilities between Israel and Iran continued to escalate across the region.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the incident occurred about 52 nautical miles northwest of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat Governorate on Saturday (March 1). The tanker, identified as MKD VYOM, flying the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo at the time of the attack.

According to officials, the unmanned vessel hit the tanker, causing a fire and explosion in the main engine room. One crew member, an Indian national, died in the incident.

The vessel had 21 crew members on board, including 16 Indians, four Bangladeshis and one Ukrainian. All survivors were evacuated by the merchant ship MV SAND, which sails under the flag of Panama, in coordination with the Maritime Security Centre.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a vessel to monitor the damaged tanker and is issuing navigational warnings to ships transiting the area. Authorities have not yet disclosed who was behind the attack.

Iran has warned vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway to the Persian Gulf, and is suspected of launching multiple maritime attacks as the Middle East war intensified following major US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.

This marked the second such attack on cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which has triggered widespread tensions across the Middle East.

Earlier, a Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight, carrying 15 Indian nationals among its crew, was struck near Oman’s Musandam peninsula, injuring four people.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X that the strike took place about five nautical miles north of Musandam’s Khasab Port, after which the tanker’s 20-member crew was evacuated. The agency did not specify the weapon used. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/indian-crew-member-killed-after-drone-boat-hits-oil-tanker-off-oman-coast-2876550-2026-03-02