Military Plane Crash in Colombia Kills 66, Dozens Rescued (video)

At least 66 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating military plane crash in Colombia, authorities said on Tuesday.

The aircraft, operated by the Colombian National Army, was carrying 125 individuals at the time of the incident, including 114 military personnel and 11 crew members.

Crashed site

Emergency response teams have so far rescued 57 survivors from the wreckage, many of whom sustained injuries and have been taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Rescue operations were still ongoing as of press time, with officials working to locate any additional survivors and recover the remains of victims.

The crash, described as one of the deadliest military aviation disasters in recent years in Colombia, has sent shockwaves across the country. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the حادث, but early indications suggest that investigators are examining the possibility of mechanical failure or adverse weather conditions.

Government officials have expressed condolences to the families of the victims, while the military has pledged full cooperation with aviation authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.

Further details are expected as inquiries continue and more information becomes available.

Military Plane Crash in Colombia Kills 66, Dozens Rescued (video)

US Under Fire Over Alleged $1bn Immigration Fees Without Services

The United States government is facing growing scrutiny over allegations that more than $1 billion in immigration-related fees have been collected without corresponding services being delivered to applicants, raising concerns about fairness, transparency, and compliance within the immigration system.

The controversy was highlighted during a Senate hearing by policy analyst David J. Bier, who argued that processing delays and policy restrictions have effectively stalled many immigration applications while fees continue to be collected.

“This is the largest fraud in the history of the US immigration system,” Bier told lawmakers, adding that the situation represents “the first $1 billion theft of processing fees for services never rendered.”

The claims come amid broader debates over immigration policies introduced and enforced under the administration of Donald Trump, which critics say have contributed to widespread backlogs and processing freezes across multiple visa and residency categories.

According to the allegations raised, applicants from several countries—including Nigeria, Iran, and Haiti—have been affected by entry restrictions and visa limitations. In some cases, individuals reportedly proceed through application stages, including interviews, without being informed of their ineligibility in advance, leading to non-refundable fees being paid for applications that are ultimately denied or left unresolved.

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Additional concerns have been raised over policies affecting individuals already residing in the United States. Reports indicate that certain immigration benefits, such as work permits and permanent residency applications, have faced indefinite delays or suspensions regardless of applicants’ length of stay or eligibility status.

The United States Department of State has also been cited in discussions surrounding the suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of multiple countries, reportedly over concerns related to public welfare dependency and security screening. Critics argue that such broad measures may conflict with immigration laws requiring case-by-case adjudication rather than nationality-based restrictions.

The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery programme has also been impacted, with applicants still able to submit entries and attend interviews, but experiencing delays or non-issuance of visas in certain instances, further contributing to frustration among applicants.

Immigration fees in the United States are typically structured across multiple stages, including petition filing, biometric services, visa processing, and work authorisation. For example, sponsoring a spouse can cost several thousand dollars when all required fees are combined, making the alleged lack of service delivery particularly significant for applicants.

Lawmakers have begun expressing concern over the situation. Senator John Kennedy described the reports as alarming, while calling for greater oversight and accountability in how immigration services are administered and funded.

Bier has urged Congress to intervene, recommending the immediate resumption of application processing and clearer adherence to statutory requirements governing immigration adjudication. He argued that while applicants who do not meet eligibility criteria can lawfully be denied, fees should not be collected without the provision of meaningful processing services.

“If someone cannot establish their eligibility, they can be denied under the law,” he said. “But there is no reason to take people’s fees and fail to provide the service the law entitles them to.”

The debate adds to ongoing national discussions about immigration reform in the United States, particularly around processing efficiency, administrative transparency, and the balance between national security concerns and fair access to legal immigration pathways. Observers say the issue could prompt further congressional scrutiny and potential policy reviews in the coming months.

US Under Fire Over Alleged $1bn Immigration Fees Without Services

Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz to ‘Non-Hostile Vessels’ Under Strict Conditions

Iran has announced that “non-hostile vessels” can transit the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions, as tensions in the region continue to disrupt global shipping and energy markets.

In a formal communication to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Tehran stated that only vessels that do not support hostile actions against Iran and fully comply with its security protocols will be granted safe passage.

According to the statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry and circulated by the IMO to member states and maritime stakeholders, ships must coordinate their movement with designated Iranian authorities before attempting to pass through the vital waterway.

Iran stressed that vessels linked to the United States and Israel — as well as any parties it accuses of participating in aggression — would not qualify for what it described as “innocent or non-hostile passage.”

The communication further blamed Washington and Tel Aviv for escalating tensions in the region, accusing both countries of waging an “unlawful and destabilising war” that has endangered maritime security and global trade.

Despite the announcement, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely constrained, with maritime traffic significantly reduced due to security risks. The waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical oil routes, handling roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments. Since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, following coordinated strikes involving the United States and Israel, shipping activity has dropped sharply as vessel operators avoid the region.

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Industry reports indicate that a large number of vessels have either been delayed or rerouted, while thousands of seafarers remain stranded across affected areas due to the deteriorating security environment.

The partial shutdown of the Strait has already triggered a surge in global energy prices, with oil markets reacting to fears of prolonged supply disruptions. Security analysts warn that even with Iran’s conditional allowance for certain vessels, the risks remain high due to continued military activity, including reported missile threats, naval patrols, and the potential use of sea mines.

The situation has prompted renewed discussions among Western and allied nations over the possibility of coordinated naval operations to safeguard commercial shipping in the region.

Iran’s latest position effectively places it in control of access to a key global chokepoint, allowing limited passage while maintaining pressure on adversaries. Observers say the move reflects a broader strategy to balance economic considerations — including avoiding a total collapse of maritime trade — with military and geopolitical objectives.

For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains open in principle but tightly controlled in practice, leaving global shipping and energy markets in a state of uncertainty.

Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz to ‘Non-Hostile Vessels’ Under Strict Conditions