Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin has been rebuked online after he appeared on Fox News Monday and mused on the “smell of war,” despite never having served in the military himself.

Mullin, a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, was discussing the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran when he channelled his inner Lt. Col. Kilgore from Apocalypse Now (1979), who famously relished “the smell of napalm in the morning.”

“War is ugly,” the senator declared authoritatively. “It smells bad. If anybody has ever been there and been able to smell the war that’s happening around you and taste it and fill it in your nostrils and hear it, it’s something that you’ll never forget.

“And it’s ugly. And fortunately, you have President [Pete] Hegseth. Sorry, Secretary Hegseth… That has got a great relationship with President [Donald] Trump and President Hegseth’s been there and he’s done that.”

Despite accidentally elevating the defense secretary to the presidency twice, it was Mullin presuming to speak for U.S. soldiers that sparked uproar.

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Veteran and activist Charlotte Clymer reposted a clip of his comments on X (Twitter) and told the senator, “Sir, you were 24 on 9/11. You were 25 when the U.S. illegally invaded Iraq. You were 28 when I enlisted after high school.

“You didn’t serve. You were an able-bodied young man who chose to inherit your daddy’s business instead of serving. You need to shut your f***ing mouth.”

The Angry Staffer account responded to the same clip with the comment: “Periodic reminder that Mullin was a rancher before he was elected to the Senate. He has no idea what war looks, smells, or tastes like. But he’s fine with sending your kids to die for it.”

Also reacting angrily was the campaign group VoteVets, which said: “Sen. Mullin probably thinks war smells like Mountain Dew, couch cushions, and control sweat because Call of Duty is the closest he’s ever been to war.”

A number of other commentators unkindly shared a photograph of Mullin allegedly attempting to hide from the would-be insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, mocking his record of “brave service.”

Trump also angered some veterans over the weekend over his apparently flippant attitude towards the first U.S. troops killed in the skirmishes, which he described as “the way it is,” leading to criticism from Democrats like Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Reps. Jason Crew and Pat Ryan, who found the phrase callous.

In a separate appearance on Fox Business Monday, Mullin fumbled again when he confused Iran with Iraq.

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“It’s up to the Iraqi people or, I’m sorry, the Iranian people to choose their next go… their next leader,” he said.

“It’s up to them to rise up and kick this regime out of place. If they do not, then they will be with a different leader, but the same regime.”

The senator was echoing Trump’s call for the Iranian public to rise up and overthrow their oppressive government, saying the airstrikes represented a unique opportunity that might not come again.

Mullin has previously offered a somewhat inconsistent stance on Iran, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in January: “Even though we’re not into regime change… If that leadership is going to kill their own people, the president said we’ll come to your rescue.”

A month later, he told the same network: “If it takes us removing the ayatollah from keeping the nuclear program from moving forward, then that’s not off the table, but we would prefer diplomacy.”

Mullin last week attracted attention for sparring with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at a confirmation hearing for Trump’s nominee for surgeon-general, Dr. Casey Means.

The GOP member was incensed when the veteran leftist teased him for making long-winded remarks about the importance of scientific inquiry.

A number of services between Manchester and destinations across the Middle East have been affected as airlines respond to the developing situation in the region.

Passengers are being urged to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport.

In a statement on its website, Manchester Airport said: “We advise passengers to check the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

“Passengers currently abroad who are unable to travel home should contact their airline for guidance on the support and assistance available.

“Passengers travelling to the Middle East area are advised to regularly check with their airline before leaving for the airport.”

The airport said many passengers travelling between the UK and the Middle East are currently facing disruption and stressed that airlines are expected to minimise the impact by keeping customers informed and providing appropriate support.

What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

According to Manchester Airport, under UK passenger rights legislation, different rules apply depending on where you are travelling from and which airline is operating the flight.

All flights leaving the UK are covered by UK passenger rights laws.

This means airlines must either, get you to your destination, including arranging an alternative flight (known as re-routing), or provide a refund if you no longer wish to travel.

If you choose not to travel after your flight is cancelled, the airline must provide a refund within seven days.

If you still wish to travel, your airline is legally required to arrange an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity or at a later date that suits you, subject to availability.

While you wait, the airline must provide care appropriate to the delay, including meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation if necessary.

However, the airport warned that during periods of major disruption, particularly if airports close at short notice, re-routing may be challenging and delays in getting passengers home are possible.

If an airline fails to offer suitable care or replacement flights, passengers are advised to keep receipts for reasonable expenses and seek reimbursement.

Passengers flying into the UK on UK or EU carriers are also covered by similar protections. However, different rights may apply if the flight is operated by a non-UK or non-EU airline, such as some services from Dubai or Doha.

Travellers are advised to check directly with their airline.

Passengers who booked a package holiday may have additional protections.

If cancellations or major changes mean the original package cannot be provided, travel companies must offer a suitable alternative or a full refund.

Will passengers receive compensation?

Although airlines can be required to pay fixed compensation in some cases, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has indicated that disruption directly caused by the situation in the Middle East is likely to be classed as “extraordinary circumstances”.

In such cases, passengers are unlikely to be entitled to fixed sum compensation.

However, this does not affect their right to refunds, re-routing or care.

The CAA said its interpretation of “extraordinary circumstances” is guidance only and that individual cases depend on specific facts.

Passengers who disagree with an airline’s decision can still pursue a claim, including through the courts.

Manchester Airport is continuing to advise passengers to check Foreign Office travel guidance and confirm their flight status with their airline before travelling.

Travellers can view the latest government advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Robert Cruickshank, 41, was left with life-changing injuries after George Paterson, 66, smashed into his vehicle during a botched overtake in Aberdeenshire.

A dad who was left in a coma after a driver ploughed into him in a catastrophic collision has slammed his “cushy” sentence.

Robert Cruickshank, 41, was left with life-threatening injuries after the horror incident in Peterhead in Aberdeenshire on October 26, 2024.

George Paterson, the driver of the other car involved, collided with Cruickshank following a botched overtake on the A950 Mintlaw to Longside road.

Paterson, 66, who may be suffering from early signs of dementia, escaped a jail term when he was sentenced at Peterhead Sheriff Court on Tuesday. Instead he received a 167-hour community payback order and was banned from driving for 14 months.

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Former car mechanic Robert was placed into an induced coma for five days. He lost four teeth and suffered a broken right leg, two broken knees, a broken nose, a broken jaw, a broken cleft palate, multiple skin lacerations, and had teeth fragments embedded into his skull.

The father-of-three, from Peterhead slammed the “lenient” sentence and said his life has been changed forever.

He said: “This man has forever changed the course of my life. My physical injuries have been so severe that I can’t do things I used to – my body literally doesn’t work properly anymore.

“I have not been able to return to work since the crash. I had to alter the layout of my home due to mobility issues – my friends even had to build me a make-shift ramp to get in and out of my house.

“I even still have a pieces of my own teeth embedded in my skull. I can feel the painful shards each time I chew and I’ll likely need more surgery to remove them. So Paterson getting a ban for a year or so and a few hours of cushy community service – what is that?

“I think there really needs to be further discussion about considering the rights and reflections of the victims of these incidents, and not simply debate what to do with the offenders.”

The court heard Paterson’s defence agent claimed his client did not drink alcohol before the collision but revealed it was possible that he may be suffering from early signs of dementia.

Paterson had pledged never to drive again as a result of the collision. The two injured women who were passengers in Paterson’s car also reportedly cut ties with him since the crash.

Digby Brown Solicitors is now helping Robert with a road traffic accident claim against Paterson. It is understood a six-figure legal action will help Robert recover lost earnings while securing access to enhanced medical treatment to improve his future recovery.

A spokesman for Digby Brown said: “What happened to Mr Cruickshank was truly life-altering but as with many road collision cases it was also completely avoidable. We will therefore continue to fully support our client and ensure he gets the recognition he deserves and the means to a more positive future.”

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The health service issued advice for families with young children on its official website

Parents are advised to follow a ‘rule’ at certain times of the day, according to the latest NHS guidance on its website. The health authority’s website includes advice on sunscreen and sun safety for people living in the UK, including guidance for families to follow from March onwards.

The month marks the beginning of spring, with the Met Office explaining that meteorological spring begins on March 1 and astronomical spring begins around March 20 in the UK. The change of seasons marks longer days and warming temperatures.

As such, NHS advice to ‘spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest’ comes into force. The NHS says: “In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Make sure you spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.”

Parents are also advised to ‘take extra care with children’. Emphasising the importance of protecting children from the sun, the NHS shares specific guidance for families with babies and children.

What does the NHS say about sun protection for children?

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The NHS website states: “Take extra care to protect babies and children. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life. Children aged under six months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.”

The advice continues: “From March to October in the UK, children should:

• cover up with suitable clothing
• spend time in the shade, particularly from 11am to 3pm
• wear at least SPF30 sunscreen

“Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.” If children go swimming, the NHS adds that it’s important to use water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it straight after getting out of the water, as water washes sunscreen off.

How can parents protect children’s skin?

Cancer Research UK says parents can help look after children and teenagers in several ways. Advice on the charity website explains: “Sun safety is important at all ages. The best way to protect adult or children’s skin is to use a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen.

“Remember, sunscreen doesn’t give complete protection from the sun. It always needs to be used together with shade, clothing, a hat and UV protection sunglasses. Apply sunscreen regularly and generously, using a minimum of SPF 30 and a 4 or 5 star rating.”

The guidance continues: “Sunscreen should not be used on babies under 6 months old, so think about shade and covering them up with clothing. The NHS recommends that babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

“Children and teenagers might need a reminder or a helping hand when it comes to sun safety. But setting a good example yourself is a great way to help them learn how to be safe in the sun.”

Mexican gang boss “El Mencho” was buried in a shiny gold coffin as heavily armed soldiers guarded his funeral.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who led the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed during a shoot-out with the Mexican army as government forces raided his mountain compound.

A service was held for the 59-year-old on Monday on the outskirts of the country’s second city of Guadalajara, with enormous floral wreaths and a huge military presence seen at the cemetery.

Dozens of mourners followed the procession, many carrying black umbrellas despite it being a sunny day, and a band played ‘banda’ music, which is popular in the Sinaloa region.

Cervantes and two of his bodyguards died after they were wounded in a military operation by Mexican special forces ‌with “intelligence” from the US used to track him to his hillside villa hideout.

He later died while being flown to a hospital in Mexico City for treatment. The death certificate said Cervantes suffered bullet wounds to his chest, stomach and legs.

After an autopsy was performed, his body was returned to his family on Saturday, the Attorney General’s Office said.

Mexican authorities have not officially revealed the location of Cervantes’s burial for “security reasons”, but an official confirmed his final resting place to The Associated Press.

Security around a nearby funeral home had been stepped up in recent days, with flower arrangements seen arriving without a name. Some were in the shape of a rooster, a possible reference to Cervantes’s nickname – the “Lord of the Roosters”.

Cervantes death on 22 February sparked violence across 20 states in Mexico, which left more than 70 people dead.

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‘El Mencho’ killing triggers violence

Cartel henchmen blockaded highways by burning cars and torched businesses, with tourists in Jalisco’s popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta told to shelter.

The military operation was launched following mounting pressure on Mexico from Washington to intensify an offensive ‌against drug gangs blamed for producing and smuggling fentanyl into the US.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the Trump administration earlier last month.

Read more from Sky News:
Cuba’s days ‘are numbered’, Republican warns
Inside Mexican drug lord’s final hideout

The burials of drug lords in Mexico have historically been surrounded by mystery and legend.

Within hours of Cervantes’s death, there were already ballads, known as narcocorridos, circulating about his killing.

In the neighbouring state of Sinaloa in Culiacan, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel – an old associate of Cervantes’s – and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.

Another drug lord was famously killed twice – Nazario Moreno, leader of the Knights Templar cartel – who authorities claimed died in 2010, only for him to be gunned down in reality during a shoot-out with police in 2014.

Sometimes the bodies disappear, like in the case of Heriberto Lazcano, a leader of the Zetas, whose body was stolen in 2012.

Earl’s Day & Night Deli, on the corner of Chorley Old Road and Whitecroft Road in Heaton, appears to have been attacked on the evening of Sunday March 1.

CCTV footage shows what looks like a masked man pulling up outside the deli on an e-bike before throwing three bricks through the window.

Co-owner Jonny Eckersley said: “If anyone has any information as to his whereabouts, where his bike could be, or if you’ve seen a kid without their usual school bag today, give us a shout.”

The deli released CCTV footage of the attack and images appearing to show the man in the act of throwing the bricks.

It also appeared to show him reaching down onto the ground to pick up the bricks before throwing them again, which Jonny jokingly described as the man’s “dance moves”.

He said: “It sort of looks like your uncle trying to get a pound coin off the dance floor at a wedding.”

The images released by the deli show the extent of the damage done, with a glass door window and two others having been smashed and glass strewn across the floor.

The attacker appearing to pick up a brick (Image: Earl’s Day & Night Deli)

The attack happened after the deli was closed and fortunately no injuries were reported because of it.

The CCTV and still images of the attacker show what appears to be a young man with his face fully covered and a mask on.

He is shown wearing a black jacket with the hood up, with dark grey trousers and black trainers while sat on an e-bike.

Glass was left strewn on the floor (Image: Earl’s Day & Night Deli)

More distinctively he also appears to have been wearing a Marvel Avengers branded rucksack turned round to the front of his body.

A bright green Incredible Hulk and a blue Captain America are displayed prominently on the bag.

Anyone who thinks they may recognise the attacker or who may have any information about the incident can message Earl’s Day & Night Deli privately through their Facebook page.

Witnesses can also call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We are also working with airlines on increasing capacity out of Muscat for British nationals, with priority for vulnerable nationals, and a Government charter flight will fly from Muscat in the coming days, prioritising vulnerable nationals, but British nationals in Oman must wait to be contacted by the foreign office regarding these options, and we will continue to work 24/7 on supporting British nationals in the region.”

Emergency services were on the scene after the three-vehicle crash near Hutton Hill at about 7.25am on Monday (March 2).

North Yorkshire Police said the crash involved a blue Toyota Aygo, silver Vauxhall Corsa and a grey Mazda 2.

The drivers of the Toyota Aygo and the Vauxhall Corsa suffered serious injuries following the crash, the force said.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a person was cut from their car after the crash.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two people were taken to hospital after road ambulances and two air ambulances were called to the scene.

North Yorkshire Police said the A64 was closed for several hours while the scene was investigated and the vehicles were recovered.

As The Press reported, the A64 reopened at 2pm on Monday after the crash caused long delays for drivers.

The crash also resulted in Thompsons Fish and Chip Restaurant, in the Malton Road section of the A64, closing for the day on Monday after saying “access to our premises is currently very difficult”.

North Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information about the crash to contact the force.

“We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone who may have relevant dashcam footage,” a police spokesperson said.

“If you can help, please email joshua.tulip@northyorkshire.police.uk. Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Joshua Tulip.

“Please quote reference 12260037839 when passing on information.”

“Once you go beyond the first 10/15/20 metres of the culvert, it’s black. It’s not like black like night, where you can see in your bedroom; you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face”

A witness has told the Noah Donohoe inquest that there was “complete and utter darkness” in the tunnel system where the schoolboy’s body was found.

Owen McGivern, an official from the Department for Infrastructure Rivers, was also questioned at Belfast Coroner’s Court about access to the culvert system from the rear of houses in a north Belfast estate.

The inquest into the death of the schoolboy at Belfast Coroner’s Court, which is being heard with a jury, is now into its sixth week.

Noah, a pupil at St Malachy’s College, was 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after leaving home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning.

Mr McGivern was questioned on Tuesday by Donal Lunny KC, who represents the PSNI at the inquest, about lighting in the tunnels.

He told the court: “Once you go beyond the first 10/15/20 metres of the culvert, it’s black. It’s not like black like night, where you can see in your bedroom; you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

“It is complete and utter darkness.”

The witness was then asked about the risks associated with gas in the culvert system.

He said gas within the tunnels would only arise when it was “agitated”.

He said: “I’ve been in it several times and the gas alarms never went off.”

Mr Lunny asked Mr McGivern about desilting work which had begun in the tunnel network before Noah disappeared, but the work had had to be stopped.

Mr McGivern said: “There were a couple of factors, Covid was a big factor.

“But before that we took the material away, the material was identified as contaminated so we then had to deal with getting rid of contaminated material and then Covid happened so we had to pause and then unfortunately Noah happened.”

Malachy McGowan, representing Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe, told the court that the jury had been on a site visit on Monday to the scene where Noah’s body had been found.

The barrister said the grill over the culvert, which had been in place in June 2020, was a debris screen, intended to prevent larger branches passing through, but wide enough to enable a person to pass through the bars.

The witness confirmed this.

Mr McGowan said the inquest had heard evidence from a number of local residents about whether they could access land near to the entry to the culvert system.

The witness said the department accepted some local residents could access the area from their back gardens.

Mr McGowan asked how the department would have known people could access the area.

Mr McGivern said the department would have known this from speaking to local residents.

He was asked if the department was aware that children would have visited the area.

The witness said: “I don’t know about that.”

The barrister pointed to media reports after Noah’s body was found, which showed a local parent raising concerns about her children being able to access the area of the culvert entrance.

He added: “Would you accept that the best and most appropriate way to identify the real risk of children playing at or near a culvert is to consult with local residents?”

Mr McGivern agreed.

The inquest continues.

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The U.S. Embassy issued the statement after growing tensions following the US and Israel attack on Iran

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Americans in Oman have been told to ‘take shelter’ due to the ongoing strikes in the Middle East. The US Embassy issued the stark warning this morning (March 3) as well as advising people stock up on emergency supplies.

The statement read: “Due to ongoing activity outside of Muscat, the U.S. Embassy in Oman has instructed staff to shelter-in-place (i.e., take cover). We recommend all Americans in Oman do the same until further notice.”

Americans have been told to build up an emergency supply of food, water, medication, and other essential items, the Mirror reports. This comes after after a joint attack on Iran by the US and Israel.

The country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the initial strikes on Saturday, February 28.

Since then, Iran has launched a number of retaliatory strikes on various military bases in the Middle East and beyond. On Sunday, an Iranian missile strike killed nine people in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh.

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The ‌Israeli military said it had ‌also begun attacking the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah at sites across Lebanon.

At least 52 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut’s suburbs and southern Lebanon on Monday, while 154 were left injured, according to state-run media. The attacks came after Hezbollah fired missiles and drones towards an IDF site in the northern city of Haifa.

Iran has today held a mass funeral for 165 schoolgirls and staff killed over the weekend in what it described as a US-Israeli attack on a girls school in the city of Minab. The latest warning to Americans comes just a day after the US Embassy in Bahrain told US nationals that “terrorist groups are intent” on attacking them.

Americans were asked to avoid hotels in the capital city due to possible attacks which the embassy warned could come “with little or no warning”. In an alert issued yesterday morning, the embassy said “drone and missile attacks from Iran continue,” as it warned US nationals “terrorists may attack with little or no warning”.

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