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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
US' B-2 bombers are ageing and complex to maintain - the untold story of one of the world's deadliest jets
B-2 stealth bomber used as Iran strike decoy stuck in Hawaii after emergency landing- A B-2 stealth bomber, part of a carefully orchestrated decoy mission related to the U.S. strike on Iran, is currently grounded in Honolulu, Hawaii after an emergency diversion. The aircraft, flying under the callsign MYTEE 14, was one of the few B-2 Spirits deployed as part of a deceptive maneuver aimed at misleading open-source intelligence watchers. Instead of heading east towards Iran like the real strike force, this bomber flew west over the Pacific, along with a string of tanker aircraft, to suggest a much larger deployment in that direction. However, the complex and maintenance-heavy B-2 didn't make it far — it had to land at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on June 21, 2025, and is still there today. What happened to MYTEE 14 during the Iran strike? On June 21, 2025, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber with the callsign MYTEE 14 was deployed in a decoy mission as part of a broader strike plan against Iran. The aircraft departed from Whiteman Air Force Base and headed west across the Pacific Ocean. This maneuver was meant to mislead open-source trackers and observers into thinking the strike was coming from the west. Meanwhile, the actual strike force was moving east over Europe toward Iran, effectively using MYTEE 14 as a strategic distraction. However, the mission took a turn when the bomber experienced a technical malfunction mid-flight, prompting an emergency landing at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Can't Believe She Wore That To The Red Carpet Golfhooked Read More Undo Why was the B-2 used as a decoy? The U.S. military has increasingly relied on deception tactics to outmaneuver open-source intelligence (OSINT) that monitors flight paths and tanker movements. In this case, MYTEE 14's westward flight acted as a red herring, drawing attention away from the true direction of the strike package. This kind of misdirection highlights America's ability to leverage strategic airpower not just through force, but through sophisticated planning and psychological operations. Live Events How serious is the technical failure? The B-2 is an extremely complex aircraft, with stealth technology that requires specialized maintenance crews and parts. With just 19 operational B-2 bombers remaining in the U.S. fleet, any emergency landing outside a designated B-2 base is a logistical headache. As of now, MYTEE 14 remains grounded in Hawaii. The repair timeline is uncertain—it could take weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the malfunction and the availability of parts and personnel. What does this reveal about the aging B-2 fleet? The B-2 Spirit fleet was first introduced in the 1990s, and while still considered one of the most advanced long-range bombers in the world, it's showing signs of age-related vulnerability. Mechanical issues like this aren't uncommon, especially when these bombers are deployed far from their home base. The fact that a high-profile decoy mission ended with a stranded aircraft raises concerns about operational reliability, particularly if multiple aircraft were to experience simultaneous issues during a major conflict. Can the U.S. still claim global air superiority? The success of the decoy mission proved the effectiveness of U.S. military deception and global strike coordination. The U.S. demonstrated it can conduct multi-directional operations with enough sophistication to fool international observers. However, the B-2's emergency landing underscores a bigger issue: logistical fragility and over-reliance on an aging platform. If more of the fleet begins to falter during long missions, it could erode the bomber's reliability in future high-stakes scenarios. Why was the B-2 bomber flying west if Iran is in the east? This was a classic case of military misdirection, leveraging the power of the open-source intelligence (OSINT) community. As B-2 bombers were seen heading west across the Pacific, online aviation trackers and analysts assumed a major move toward the Indo-Pacific — possibly Guam. But according to sources and analysis by defense reporter Tyler Rogoway, this was a carefully designed feint operation. The real strike force reportedly went the opposite way — eastward over the Atlantic — to hit Iran. Only a small number of B-2s, possibly just two aircraft, took part in this deception. The operation also included refueling tankers, appearing to support a larger deployment than actually existed. It was a smart move, flipping the usual dynamic where OSINT poses risks for planners, and instead using it as a tool for confusion. How common are B-2 emergencies like this? This isn't the first time a B-2 Spirit has had to divert to Hawaii. In 2023, another stealth bomber ended up staying at Hickam for months after an emergency landing, just before the entire B-2 fleet was grounded for six months due to a crash during landing at Whiteman AFB. These incidents highlight the maintenance-intensive nature of the B-2 platform, a stealth aircraft that has been in service since the 1980s and is notoriously hard to keep airworthy. There are only 19 B-2s in operation today. That makes them low-density, high-value assets, and every diversion or maintenance issue carries significant operational implications. What is the Air Force saying about the B-2 in Hawaii? In a statement to The War Zone (TWZ), Charles Hoffman, Chief of Media Operations at Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), declined to discuss the B-2 specifically, saying: 'We will not comment on movement, deployment or posturing of forces. Air Force Global Strike Command maintains the capability to provide global strike anywhere, at the time of the President of the United States' choosing. Our forces are always ready to work alone or fully integrate with our many allies and partners. We continue to work toward delivering the promise of peace through strength.' This response aligns with standard policy — the military rarely discusses specifics about stealth aircraft operations, especially in active or sensitive missions. What's next for the B-2 program as the B-21 Raider arrives? While the B-2 bomber remains vital, it's nearing the end of its service life. Its complex stealth coatings, custom systems, and outdated parts from the 1980s make it expensive and hard to maintain. However, recent upgrades to avionics, communications, and low-observable systems are aimed at keeping it relevant until the B-21 Raider is ready. The B-21, designed as the B-2's replacement, is expected to be produced in larger numbers and offer better survivability, lower operating costs, and modern stealth capabilities. Fortunately, the program appears to be on schedule and within budget, breaking the usual pattern of cost overruns in Pentagon procurement. As Tyler Rogoway wrote: 'B-2 was considered a disaster of a program. Poster child for Pentagon death spiral. Nobody would argue 30 years later it wasn't an absolutely pivotal investment.' Why does this matter for future U.S. air power? The B-2's role in the Iran strike decoy operation and its continued operational issues underscore both the value and the vulnerability of America's stealth bomber force. With only a handful left and no easy fixes, each jet grounded in a remote location like Hawaii becomes a strategic puzzle. The U.S. needs its stealth bombers to be reliable, especially as global threats evolve and near-peer adversaries like China and Russia improve their air defenses. The hope is that the B-21 Raider won't just replace the B-2 — it will redefine long-range stealth bombing for decades to come. FAQs: Q1: Why is a B-2 stealth bomber stuck in Hawaii? A: The B-2 MYTEE 14 made an emergency landing during a decoy Iran mission. Q2: What was the B-2 bomber's role in the Iran strike? A: It acted as a decoy flying west to mislead open-source observers.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charlize Theron Embraces Sheer Dressing With Fishnet Edge in Givenchy for ‘The Old Guard 2' Los Angeles Premiere
Charlize Theron joined the cast and creative team behind 'The Old Guard 2' for the film's premiere on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Oscar-winning actress stars in the sequel to the 2020 action and fantasy Netflix feature. For the film's red-carpet premiere, Theron drew inspiration from the runway for her style. The actress wore a black fishnet bodysuit courtesy of Givenchy. The look, which opened the fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection runway show, featured a high neckline and see-through black fishnet fabric with 'Givenchy, Paris 1952' embossed in white on the bustline of the look. More from WWD Chappell Roan's Met Gala Look to Be Auctioned on EBay to Support LGBTQIA+ Youth EXCLUSIVE: Jenna Bush Hager Teams With ResortPass to Rethink the Laws of Motherhood Amal Clooney Favors Subdued Elegance in Black Off-the-shoulder Dress for King's Trust Awards 2025 Reception Beneath the black fishnet bodysuit, the Oscar-winning 'Monster' actress wore a black peekabo bra layering top and a pair of high-waisted black 'HotPants,' a term coined by WWD in the 1970s to describe super short shorts of various fabrics. Theron coordinated the look with a pair of black square-toed boots. She also styled a black blazer with sharp lapels overtop her bodysuit. As for her glam, Theron's blond hair was pulled back into a tight chignon. Her makeup included smoky eyes, defined brows and a glossy lip. Theron's 'The Old Guard 2' premiere look made its runway debut during Paris Fashion Week last March. The collection marked Sarah Burton's first as the creative director of the French luxury fashion house. The designer previously led the formative years of her career with Alexander McQueen. Burton took inspiration from Givenchy's debut collection in 1952, turning to the archives and crafting a collection that went 'back to silhouette. This is the backbone of the house today,' she said per Miles Socha's WWD review of the collection. 'The clothes were superb, peerlessly realized and immediately desirable; sometimes young and zesty, but most often the pinnacle of adult sophistication,' Socha wrote in WWD's review. 'Here was a show where you could sense how proud the models were to wear them, and the entire cast of diverse sizes and ages looked gorgeous.' View Gallery Launch Gallery: Givenchy Fall 2025 Ready-To-Wear Collection Best of WWD Lauren Sánchez's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: From Her Days as TV News Anchor to Today Labubu vs. 'Lafufu': How to Spot the Differences Between Real and Fake Bob Haircut Trend: Leslie Bibb, Halle Berry & More Looks [Photos]
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Seat Blocking Scam: ED conducts search on 3 engineering colleges in Bengaluru
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Wednesday conducted a search at 18 locations including the premises of three Bengaluru-based engineering colleges on reports that their management were involved in a seat-blocking scam. The premises included the offices of accused colleges, trustees and their main associates, office and residence of few private education consultants and few seat blocking agents . The raids were prompted by the reports of Bengaluru City Police who took up investigation on complaints, last year, and filed a chargesheet recently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Can't Believe She Wore That To The Red Carpet Golfhooked Read More Undo Seat blocking is a term for people in private college managements cornering pricey government quota seats by engineering a scam. It involves meritorious students writing the entrance exam at the instance of management or their agents, and surrendering these seats after the completion of the admission rounds by the governments. Live Events Such seats get added to the management quota and the same are sold for a sum to low-merit is a well-oiled network involving many agents, say officials. The income tax officials had conducted a series of similar raids in 2019 and 2021 following information that medical colleges had indulged in illegal sale of seats and were accepting cash in black though they were all run by either trusts or societies.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What is the Stop Killing Games movement? Viral clash between Accursed Farms and Pirate Software explained
(Image via YouTube/@Accursed_Farms & @PirateSoftware) At the heart of a growing online movement, Stop Killing Games calls out developers for pulling the plug on live-service games too early. Created by YouTuber Ross Scott (Accursed Farms), it quickly gained support until Twitch streamer and indie dev Pirate Software pushed back. What started as a campaign for game preservation has now spiraled into a full-blown creator feud. Here's what's going on. What is Stop Killing Games? Launched in April 2024 by Ross Scott, the Stop Killing Games movement is all about preserving access to online games, especially after official support ends. Ross argues that when studios make a game dependent on servers and later shut them down, they're essentially selling something with an expiration date… without telling players. It's 'planned obsolescence,' he says — unfair to buyers and harmful to gaming history. The movement has gained real-world traction, too, with petitions in Europe aiming to legally require publishers to offer offline versions or alternatives when live-service titles go dark. Stop Killing Games Pirate Software Calls It Out Not everyone agreed with Ross's plan, most notably, Pirate Software (real name Jason Thor Hall). In a widely shared YouTube video, Pirate Software called the movement vague , unrealistic , and even dangerous to game devs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Can't Believe She Wore That To The Red Carpet Golfhooked Read More Undo He argued that: The initiative is too broad and lacks clear solutions. It creates legal and technical burdens that most indie studios can't afford. It could hurt the industry by setting unrealistic expectations for all online games. Pirate also criticized Ross's suggestion to use this as a political tool, claiming it misdirects lawmakers from more urgent tech issues. The end of Stop Killing Games Accursed Farms Responds Ross didn't let that slide. He later addressed Pirate's critiques in an interview and a dedicated FAQ video, claiming Pirate had misrepresented the campaign's goals. According to Ross: The initiative isn't about keeping every live-service game alive forever. It's about offering basic access to purchased games, even post-shutdown. Pirate's comments hurt momentum during a crucial phase. 'It's unfortunate. I offered to talk with him about it.' Ross said. 'If you hate the initiative, you hate it, but at least hate it for what it is.' Signature Struggles & Blame Game As the deadline for the European Citizens' Initiative approached, only 47% of the required signatures had been collected. Ross claimed that Pirate Software's viral criticism stalled the campaign's momentum. He even uploaded a video on June 23, 2025, accusing Hall of 'lying' and making it harder for the petition to succeed. He said that: 'This put me in a no-win scenario, too, because if I ignored it, then a lot of people would get misinformed about the campaign, and if I did a response video, it would look like drama-farming.' Stop Killing Games... Who Supports the Movement? Despite the clash, Stop Killing Games still has powerful supporters. Big-name creators like MoistCritikal and SomeOrdinaryGamers have publicly backed Ross. Their argument? Preserving games isn't just nostalgic — it's about protecting a digital legacy. As SomeOrdinaryGamers put it: 'If we don't fight for this now, our gaming history might just vanish.' Whether you're Team Ross or Team Pirate, one thing's clear — this debate hits deeper than just two creators. It's about what we, as players, own when we buy a game… and what happens when that access disappears. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lily Allen wows in eye catching white feather dress as she joins Alicia Vikander and Cate Blanchett at The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party
Lily Allen made sure all eyes were on her as she posed up a storm at The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London on Tuesday evening. The Smile hitmaker, 40, opted for a strapless black dress which was adorned with dramatic white feathers and white polka dots. Accessorising with diamond dangly earrings, the singer showcased the results of her recent boob job which she underwent earlier this year following her split from husband David Harbour. Lily was joined by actress Alicia Vikander who looked stunning in a cream dress adorned with a blue beaded floral pattern. Meanwhile Cate Blanchett opted for a very quirky corset style top made out of sea shells. The actress, 56, was covered in an array of shells as she paired the top with a frayed faded knee length skirt and nude heels. Kelly Osbourne continued to show her recent weight loss in a simple strapless black dress which trailed along the ground. Elsewhere Georgia May Jagger put on a very leggy display in a black mini dress as she posed with fashion designer David Koma. The model, 33, left little to the imagination in the high-legged skirt while the top part of the dress featured a mesh panel and rose detailing. Actress Rebel Wilson was also in attendance alongside her wife Ramona Agruma. The Australian star, 45, opted for a white dress adorned with a gold leaf pattern, while her wife wore a blue velvet suit. Jourdan Dunn looked sensational in a gold halter neck metallic dress with black strappy heels. Joanne Froggatt wowed in a white satin slip dress which featured a high leg slit. She completed the look with see-through heels. It comes after Lily was seen enjoying an apparent first date with J ames Norton as they put on a cosy display while watching Charli XCX on stage at Lido Festival in London earlier this month. The singer, 40, and actor, 39, couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they stood together in the crowd and sipped non-alcoholic beers at the sell out show in Hackney's Victoria Park, after reportedly first meeting on celebrity dating app Raya. A source told The Sun: 'Lily and James appeared to be on a date. They were together for the day and were chatting and laughing together as they watched Charli XCX. Lily was leaning into him at one point'. 'She and James seemed really relaxed together and she was really making him giggle. They were drinking non-alcoholic beer and queued at the bar like all the other punters. People were doing double-takes when they saw them together'. Before adding: 'Because they're both on Raya it seems like they might have matched with each other'. MailOnline have contacted Lily and James' reps for comment. Lily ended her marriage to Stranger Things star husband David Harbour, 50, in December 2024 after four years of marriage, following her discovery he had a secret profile on Raya. Harris Reed wore an all white suit (L) while Adot Gak (R) opted for a white strapless gown with jewelled embellishments Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Saadiya Khan also appeared in great spirits as they attended Beth Ditto wore a white wool dress, black tights and silver heels Meanwhile James is said to have split from model girlfriend Charlotte Rose Smith, 26, last month before being spotted back on the star-studded dating site. Raya is so exclusive that it accepts only around eight per cent of applicants, but it has more than 10,000 members, with 100,000 on the waiting list. James' Raya profile is said to feature photos of the Happy Valley star with a shaved head – a dramatic new look he's adopted for his upcoming role in Sunny Dancer, currently being filmed in Scotland with co-star Bella Ramsey. The hunk, who is a strong contender to be the next James Bond, started dating Charlotte late last year and was pictured out with her on several occasions. At the time, an insider told The Sun: 'They have been enjoying dates and seem very happy together. 'It has been a year since his relationship with [ex Imogen Potts] ended and he appears to get on so well with Charlotte. They make a lovely couple.'
