Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hard Numbers

US service members killed in crash over Iraq, Michigan synagogue attacked, Polish president rejects EU defense funds, North Korea tests missile

​A Boeing C-135 Stratotanker / Stratolifter military aircraft known as KC-135 of the United States Air Force USAF configured as Air Tanker Transport for aerial refueling, powered by 4x CFMI jet engines and tail number 63-8003. The military plane spotted flying over the Netherlands in the blue sky from Mainland USA to Tel Aviv TLV to support the Israel USA - Iran war known as Operation Epic Fury by the US Department of Defense. Venlo, the Netherlands on March 2, 2026

A Boeing C-135 Stratotanker / Stratolifter military aircraft known as KC-135 of the United States Air Force USAF configured as Air Tanker Transport for aerial refueling, powered by 4x CFMI jet engines and tail number 63-8003. The military plane spotted flying over the Netherlands in the blue sky from Mainland USA to Tel Aviv TLV to support the Israel USA - Iran war known as Operation Epic Fury by the US Department of Defense. Venlo, the Netherlands on March 2, 2026

Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto
4: The number of crew members aboard a US refuelling plane – out of six total – who died after the aircraft crashed in neighboring Iraq on Thursday, US Central Command said this morning. CENTCOM said the cause of the crash is still under investigation, but noted it was neither due to friendly nor hostile fire. The plane was part of Operation Epic Fury, and brings the total number of confirmed US deaths from the Iran conflict to 11.

140: The number of children and staff members present at a Michigan synagogue on Thursday when an armed man rammed his car into it. He was killed by security officers during the attack. Police described it as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

€44 million: The amount of European Union’s defense funds that Polish President Karol Nawrocki rejected in a bid to increase military spending on Thursday. The right-wing leader argued that the funds would enable the EU to have a say in Warsaw’s defense and disproportionately benefit foreign arms makers.

11: The number of days North Korea will test missiles in its “Freedom Shield” drills, which began on Monday. The missile tests come as the US reportedly moves military assets, including Patriot batteries and parts of its air defense system, from the Korean peninsula to the Middle East to help its fight with Iran.

More For You

Hard number: Haiti’s hunger crisis
Natalie Johnson
Five years after President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, the turmoil in Haiti – where gangs control large swaths of the country and continue to sow chaos – shows no signs of abating. The consequence is a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, with 1.4 million people displaced, and millions more facing food shortages. Officials fear the Iran war could [...]
Hard Number: Controversial South African politician sentenced
Natalie Johnson
The far-left political party leader – and one of South Africa’s most prominent and most controversial politicians – was convicted last year on charges related to firing a gun at a rally in 2018. Malema has been allowed to keep his seat while he appeals the decision, although he will lose it should this fail as South Africa bars anyone who has been [...]
Hard Number: Saudi Arabia picks up Pakistan’s tab again
Natalie Johnson
The extra cash comes just before Islamabad sends a $3.5 billion debt repayment to Saudi Arabia’s friend-turned-rival, the UAE. This isn’t the first time that Saudi Arabia has provided Pakistan, a relatively poor country with a mighty military, with funding. In 2018, Riyadh gave Pakistan a rescue package worth $6 billion as it faced an economic [...]
Hard number: School shooting in Turkey
Natalie Johnson
A gunman entered a high school in Siverek on Tuesday and started firing indiscriminately, injuring 16 people before turning the gun on himself. The motive for the attack is unclear, though the assailant was a student at the school. It’s a major shock in Turkey, as school shootings are rare there. [...]