World
IRAN CONFIRMS SUPREME LEADER ALI KHAMENEI KILLED IN AIRSTRIKE
Iranian authorities have confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike, marking a historic and destabilizing moment for the region.
The Iranian government has declared 40 days of national mourning following his death.
State media reported that senior leadership convened in emergency session following confirmation of the strike.
Details regarding the exact location and timing of the airstrike have not yet been officially disclosed.
In a public statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed what it described as “severe” and “decisive” punishment against both the United States and Israel, holding them responsible for Khamenei’s death.
Officials characterized the airstrike as an act of aggression and warned of significant retaliation.
The statement did not outline specific measures but indicated that Iran’s response would be forthcoming.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released a brief statement saying, “The Iranian regime was warned. CENTCOM is now delivering swift and decisive action as directed.”
U.S. officials have not publicly elaborated on operational details or the scope of ongoing military activity in the region.
The development has intensified geopolitical tensions across the Middle East. Reports indicate that Israeli and Saudi leaders had urged stronger U.S. action against Iran in recent weeks. Sources familiar with diplomatic discussions claim that Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, made multiple communications to U.S. leadership advocating for military action.
U.S. President Donald Trump was reportedly engaged in discussions regarding policy decisions related to Iran during this period, though the extent of direct involvement remains unclear.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV aired emotional coverage following the announcement. One anchor was visibly overcome with emotion during a live broadcast upon learning of Khamenei’s death, reflecting the profound domestic impact of the event.
Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, was the country’s highest political and religious authority. His death leaves significant uncertainty regarding succession and the future direction of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy.
International leaders are closely monitoring developments amid concerns about potential military escalation and broader regional instability. Further statements from Tehran, Washington, and regional governments are expected as the situation continues to unfold.
Crime
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar Created Mall Shooting Simulator in Roblox
Investigators and online researchers have identified a Roblox account allegedly linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old suspect in the deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
According to platform officials, the account was discovered by users on the internet forum Kiwi Farms, who reported that Van Rootselaar had created a game — referred to on Roblox as an “experience” — that simulated a shooting inside a shopping mall.
The virtual environment appeared to resemble a Canadian retail complex, although it has not been confirmed whether the design was intended to replicate a specific real-world location.
Videos circulating on social media prior to its removal showed a player-controlled character collecting weapons and firing into crowds of animated civilians within the mall setting.
The footage quickly drew widespread concern given the seriousness of the real-world attack.
Roblox confirmed that the account belonged to the suspect and announced swift action in response.
“We have removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident, as well as any content associated with the suspect,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.”
Initially, reports suggested the game remained accessible despite the account being deleted. However, Roblox later clarified that the content has now been removed from the platform.
The company also noted that the mall-themed experience was only accessible through Roblox Studio, a development application used by creators to build games, rather than through the main platform available to general users.
As a result, the experience reportedly recorded only seven visits, indicating extremely limited exposure.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, including online posts and usernames believed to match across multiple platforms such as Reddit, where references to Roblox activity were also reportedly found.
Van Rootselaar is accused of carrying out the February 10 shooting that left eight people dead and at least 25 others injured at the secondary school.
Authorities have not indicated whether the online content forms part of the official investigative findings, but technology platforms are increasingly scrutinized in the aftermath of violent incidents for potential warning signs.
Officials emphasize that the broader investigation remains active as law enforcement works to establish a complete timeline, understand possible motives, and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.