International
Kuwait flight hostages sue British Airways, UK govt
Kuwait flight hostages sue British Airways, UK govt
Passengers and crew held hostage after a 1990 British Airways flight landed are suing the airline and the UK government for “deliberately endangering” them.
They claim BA and the government knew Iraq had invaded Kuwait before the plane they were travelling on landed in the country.
The 367 passengers and crew of BA Flight 149 were taken hostage, and some were mistreated, seriously sexually assaulted and kept in near-starvation conditions.
The claimants believe those on board were put at risk so an intelligence-gathering mission could take place, an allegation which has been denied for 30 years.
Ninety-four people, either passengers or crew on board Flight 149 or BA crew already in Kuwait awaiting deployment, are behind the civil action alleging the UK government and BA were guilty of negligence and joint misfeasance in public office.
It is the latest step in a long battle to get answers as to what happened during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
On the evening of 1 August 1990, BA Flight 149 took off from London’s Heathrow Airport with a planned stop in Kuwait on its way to Malaysia.
Iraqi troops were already massing on the border with Kuwait ahead of an invasion of the country that night. But the flight was not diverted from stopping in Kuwait.
The claimants say no other airline allowed its planes to land after the invasion began. By the time Flight 149 landed on the morning of 2 August, there was rocket fire near the airport as Iraqi forces took control.
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The plane was evacuated and unable to take off. Those on board were taken hostage.
Some were released quickly, but others suffered mistreatment and were used by Iraq as human shields at key facilities to try to prevent Western forces bombing them.
Passengers and crew held hostage after a 1990 British Airways flight landed are suing the airline and the UK government for “deliberately endangering” them.
They claim BA and the government knew Iraq had invaded Kuwait before the plane they were travelling on landed in the country.
The 367 passengers and crew of BA Flight 149 were taken hostage, and some were mistreated, seriously sexually assaulted and kept in near-starvation conditions.
The claimants believe those on board were put at risk so an intelligence-gathering mission could take place, an allegation which has been denied for 30 years.
Ninety-four people, either passengers or crew on board Flight 149 or BA crew already in Kuwait awaiting deployment, are behind the civil action alleging the UK government and BA were guilty of negligence and joint misfeasance in public office.
It is the latest step in a long battle to get answers as to what happened during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
On the evening of 1 August 1990, BA Flight 149 took off from London’s Heathrow Airport with a planned stop in Kuwait on its way to Malaysia.
Iraqi troops were already massing on the border with Kuwait ahead of an invasion of the country that night. But the flight was not diverted from stopping in Kuwait.
The claimants say no other airline allowed its planes to land after the invasion began. By the time Flight 149 landed on the morning of 2 August, there was rocket fire near the airport as Iraqi forces took control.
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The plane was evacuated and unable to take off. Those on board were taken hostage.
Some were released quickly, but others suffered mistreatment and were used by Iraq as human shields at key facilities to try to prevent Western forces bombing them.
At the centre of the claim is the allegation the UK government and BA received a series of warnings during the night but did not act on them.
It is alleged that one reason for this was the desire of the government to insert a special forces team who could carry out reconnaissance within the country.
Stephen Davis wrote a book about the incident and says he has interviewed members of the team anonymously.
He believes the authorities did not expect the airport to fall to invading Iraqi forces so quickly and the intention was for the men to disembark before the plane went on to its next destination.
The BA cabin services director on the flight previously told the BBC that a British man in military uniform greeted him at the plane’s door on arrival in Kuwait.
The man said he had come to meet 10 men on the flight who had boarded at Heathrow. They were brought to the front, disembarked and were never seen again. But by then, it was too late for the plane to leave.
A UK official serving in the Kuwait embassy at the time previously said he believed there had been a “deniable” operation to hastily put boots on the ground without the full knowledge of the embassy.
Anthony Paice was responsible for political intelligence, a role widely assumed to be cover for MI6.
“I am convinced that the military intelligence exploitation of British Airways Flight 149 did take place, despite repeated official denials,” he told the BBC in his first interview in 2021.
In November 2021, the Foreign Office admitted that Parliament and the public were misled for decades about Flight 149.
Newly released files revealed the British ambassador in Kuwait did warn the Foreign Office about the invasion, but BA was not told.
However, then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss reiterated earlier denials that the flight was being used for a secret intelligence mission.
“There must be closure and accountability to erase this shameful stain on the UK’s conscience,” said Matthew Jury, from the law firm behind the claim, McCue Jury and Partners.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the government did not comment on ongoing legal matters. BA did not respond to a request for comment.
Kuwait flight hostages sue British Airways, UK govt
BBC
International
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
A 26-year-old United States citizen of Nigerian origin, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, has been arrested in connection with a series of shootings that claimed the lives of two women and left a man critically injured in the state of Georgia.
The incidents occurred across multiple locations, including DeKalb County and Brookhaven, sparking widespread concern among residents. Authorities have described the attacks as seemingly random, with no confirmed motive at this stage.
According to law enforcement officials, the shootings took place at a Checkers outlet on Wesley Chapel Road, a Kroger store at Cherokee Plaza in Brookhaven, and along Battle Forest Drive in DeKalb County.
Investigators were able to trace Abel through rental vehicle records, leading to his eventual arrest in Troup County. He is currently facing two counts of murder, along with charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, a DeKalb County magistrate judge transferred the case to a superior court after the suspect’s legal team waived a formal reading of the charges. Details regarding his next court appearance have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities also revealed that this is not Abel’s first encounter with the law. He was previously convicted of a felony in California in 2024. In a separate case last year, he was arrested in Savannah and later pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. He was subsequently sentenced to 48 months’ probation, banned from the city for four years, and ordered to undergo a psychosexual evaluation.
Court records from Chatham County confirm that Abel is a United States citizen.
Police officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat, emphasizing that the suspect is now in custody. Investigations remain ongoing as detectives continue to analyze evidence to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attacks.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said, adding that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice and public safety.
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
International
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
The United States Senate has voted against a resolution that sought to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to carry out further military strikes on Iran without prior approval from Congress, in a move that underscores deep divisions in Washington over war powers and executive authority.
In a closely watched vote, senators rejected the measure by 52 votes to 47, effectively allowing the president to continue ongoing military operations against Iran without needing immediate congressional authorization.
The proposed resolution, introduced under the framework of the War Powers Act, was aimed at reasserting Congress’s constitutional role in decisions involving armed conflict. Lawmakers backing the measure argued that the escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran required clear legislative approval to prevent a broader and potentially prolonged war.
However, the effort fell short, with most Republican senators voting against the proposal, aligning with the president’s position that the executive branch retains the authority to act swiftly in matters of national security. The vote largely followed party lines, although there were notable exceptions. Republican Senator Rand Paul broke ranks to support the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it.
Supporters of the failed measure warned that allowing continued military engagement without congressional oversight risks setting a dangerous precedent and undermines the balance of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. They maintained that Congress must play a decisive role in authorizing acts of war, particularly in a volatile region like the Middle East.
Opponents, however, contended that imposing restrictions on the president at this stage could weaken the United States’ strategic position and limit its ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. They argued that the commander-in-chief must retain flexibility to protect American interests and personnel.
This marks the latest in a series of unsuccessful attempts by lawmakers to curb presidential war-making powers in relation to Iran. Analysts note that the repeated failure of such measures reflects enduring political divisions and the challenges Congress faces in reclaiming authority over military engagements.
The vote comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with concerns growing internationally over the risk of further escalation. While the Senate’s decision preserves the president’s current latitude to act, it also signals that the debate over war powers is far from settled, with the possibility of renewed legislative efforts in the coming weeks.
As the situation continues to evolve, attention is expected to remain focused on both the White House and Capitol Hill, where questions over the scope of executive power and the role of Congress in matters of war and peace persist.
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
International
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
In a statement shared via his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said he had secured an understanding with Chinese President Xi Jinping to prevent arms transfers to Tehran.
“They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting???” Trump wrote.
He added a warning note on U.S. military strength, stating that while diplomacy remains preferable, the United States is “very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else.”
The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Iran and ongoing military developments in the region, which Trump referred to as “Operation Epic Fury.” However, no official confirmation has been provided by the U.S. government or international bodies regarding the existence or scope of such an operation.
Chinese authorities have not publicly confirmed any agreement to halt weapons transfers to Iran as of the time of filing this report. Analysts note that Beijing has historically maintained strategic and economic ties with Tehran, making any sudden policy shift significant if verified. Foreign policy experts have also urged caution in interpreting Trump’s statement, stressing that it reflects his personal account rather than a confirmed diplomatic agreement.
If substantiated, such an arrangement could mark a major development in international efforts to contain military escalation in the Middle East. China remains a key global player with influence over Iran, and any restriction on arms supply could affect the balance of power in the region. However, in the absence of independent verification, observers say the claim should be treated as part of ongoing political messaging rather than established fact.
Trump has remained an influential voice in U.S. and global politics, frequently using his social media platforms to comment on international affairs and ongoing conflicts.
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
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