Israeli F-35 downs Iranian YAK-130 in first dogfight of the war

 

This marks the first time an F-35 has ever achieved a confirmed air-to-air takedown.

(illustrative) A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet performs during the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA on the opening day at Schoenefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany June 5, 2024.

(photo credit: AXEL SCHMIDT/REUTERS)

An Israeli F-35I downed an Iranian YAK-130 in the first fighter jet dogfight of the war, the IDF announced at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The Russian-made YAK-130 started production in the 1990s.

It is generally used as an advanced training aircraft for pilots of the more advanced Russian SU-57 and other such aircraft, but can also be used as an attack aircraft.

On Sunday afternoon, the IDF had bombed Iranian fighter jets moments before they could take off.

Two fighter jets, one an F4 and one an F5, were already out on the runway and preparing to take off when the IDF struck.

A Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft performs during the International Army Games 2016, in Dubrovichi outside Ryazan, Russia, August 5, 2016. (credit: MAXIM SHEMETOV/REUTERS)

YAK-130 More advanced than previously dstroyed Irainian Jets

Iran's air force, including the F4 and F5 fighters, is mostly antiquated and no real match for Israel's F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s, but the YAK-130 is more advanced than some of the others.

Any Iranian fighter jets could be problematic for Israeli and American drones and generally complicate the battle space, making it harder for close-range "stand-in" attacks.

Israel and the US established general air supremacy in the Tehran area, where they can carry out stand-in attacks, hovering above potential targets unimpeded for an extended period, within the first two days of the conflict.

For the first time in 40 years

The last time the Israeli Air Force shot down an aircraft was on November 24, 1985, during an aerial engagement over Lebanon. In that clash, an Israeli Air Force F-15 “Baz” downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighter jets.

BTS Releases ‘Arirang’ Tracklist: All The Details

 

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook of K-Pop band BTS are seen during an interview at the 'Today' Show on February 21, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)GC Images

Global superstars BTS unveiled the tracklist for the group’s fifth full-length album ARIRANG – set for release on March 20, marking their first group album since 2022's hiatus for mandatory military service in South Korea.

The 14-track album takes its name from "Arirang," a traditional Korean folk song that has become a symbol of Korean identity and resilience. For BTS, ARIRANG represents both a return to their roots and a reflection of the group’s evolution following nearly four years of solo projects and military service. The title carries deep cultural significance; "Arirang" been passed down through generations as an expression of longing, separation and eventual reunion.

"We all treasure BTS more than we treasure each one of us separately," member V told GQ in the group's first interview since reuniting. "We debuted as a group, so I think that's the core identity that we have."

Burnley fans turn up heat on Parker after Everton push them towards drop

 

James Tarkowski (left) meets James Garner’s free-kick to head home Everton’s opening goal. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Everton harbour ambitions of bringing European football to Hill Dickinson Stadium next season and a first Premier League win at their new home in seven attempts will increase the optimism. The hosts were effective, rather than magnificent, against a woefully poor Burnley but the result is all that matters.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are the next three visitors to Everton, so goals from James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were essential as they looked to build momentum. It was only Everton’s fifth win in 15 league games since leaving Goodison Park, helping solidify their position in eighth, which could be good enough for continental qualification come the end of the season.

“I think we’ve actually played quite well here,” Moyes said of Everton’s home form. “We’ve not won and that can happen in the Premier League. If we don’t win there’ll be some manager in the future and there’ll be some great teams here hopefully. The supporters will see some great Everton teams going forward and hopefully some teams that win trophies as well.”

There was zero entertainment in the early exchanges, which mainly consisted of Everton contemplating ways of defeating the Burnley low block, only to realise they lacked any creativity. There were a few corners thrown into the box without success and it was understandable why the atmosphere was completely flat.

It was highly unlikely that a goal would come from open play. Finally there was a quality delivery from Everton, when James Garner swung a free-kick to the back post for the former Claret Tarkowski to head into the corner for his first goal in over a year, thanks to some inept marking. “He’s [Tarkowski] always getting stick from me because he never scores,” Moyes said. “Tonight he got his goal and I think he’s smiling at me because I’m always on about it.”

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dinks the ball over Martin Dubravka for Everton’s second goal. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Burnley are shackled by Scott Parker’s ultra-conservative football. Infrequent forays into Everton’s half brought little except losses of possession. Tarkowski had more to do in the opposition box than his own, showing the bluntness of the Championship-bound visitors, who are eight points adrift with nine games to play.

Dwight McNeil built on his fine performance at Newcastle with another impressive outing. He was at the heart of the positive parts of Everton’s play, providing the energy when there were lulls, and earned the appreciation of the crowd when he was withdrawn.

There was no newfound purpose from Burnley, instead they did their best to end the ‘contest’ when Bashir Humphreys decided dribbling in his own half was a good idea, only to be dispossessed. Idrissa Gueye ran through but delayed passing to Iliman Ndiaye until he was offside, making the goal null and void. The disallowed effort at least showed that Everton had some hidden spark. It was further displayed when Ndiaye slipped a pass through to Dewsbury-Hall, who calmly dinked the ball over Martin Dubravka. Burnley overturned a three-goal deficit at the weekend against Brentford, only to lose, but even the most optimistic Lancastrian could not have envisaged a comeback here.

Everton were given as much of the ball as they liked as they attempted to add a flourish to a professional performance. Gueye rattled the bar from the edge of the box but a third did not arrive.

The away end screamed “You don’t know what you’re doing” at Parker when he withdrew Hannibal Mejbri, one of the few who still looks committed to this lost cause. Burnley’s first shot on target came in the 79th minute via a powerless Jaidon Anthony drive, earning derision from all sides. “I understand the fans’ frustrations,” Parker said. “We brought nothing to the game.”

Everton had no problems seeing the game out to secure a first triumph here in almost three months. They will not benefit from having such friendly visitors again but they more than got the job done as they try to make the stadium their home.

Liverpool rocked by last-gasp defeat at Wolves

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk and Rio Ngumoha look dejected after Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andre scores their second goal. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wolves as Andre's stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory for the Premier League's bottom club on Tuesday.

Arne Slot's side fell behind to Rodrigo Gomes' strike in the closing stages at Molineux.

Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level with his first goal in 11 top-flight games dating back to November.

But Andre's first goal for Wolves inflicted the latest humbling loss in a chastening season for Liverpool.

It was the first time the Premier League's bottom club had beaten the reigning champions since Crystal Palace defeated Chelsea in 2017.

Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, with only Newcastle shipping more in the same period in the Premier League.

The Reds remain fifth but their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League have been hurt by a defeat that means sixth-placed Chelsea will go above them if they beat Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Liverpool's first defeat in five games in all competitions will raise fresh questions about Slot's Anfield future.

This was the first of Liverpool's two trips to Molineux in the space of four days, with an immediate chance for revenge in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.

Slot this week said he no longer finds Premier League matches a "joy to watch" due to the rise in set-piece goals, and Liverpool supporters took no pleasure from this dismal performance.

Wolves and Liverpool fans joined in a sustained round of applause on 18 minutes in memory of Diogo Jota, who wore that shirt number during his time at Molineux before joining the Reds.

Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain last year.

That emotional tribute seemed to suck the energy from both teams in a scrappy first half.

Liverpool were punished for their lethargy in the 78th minute.

Tolu Arokodare got away with a nudge on Virgil van Dijk to win the ball before playing a superb pass to Rodrigo Gomes, who held off Ibrahima Konate and guided a clinical finish past Alisson Becker.

Liverpool finally awoke from their slumber after that shock, grabbing an equaliser in the 83rd minute with a helping hand from Wolves.

Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was guilty of a woeful pass that Salah intercepted, racing into the area for a shot that eluded Jose Sa's weak attempted save.

Salah has scored just eight goals -- five in the league -- during a turbulent season.

Liverpool were still creaky at the back and Andre pounced on Alisson's poor clearance four minutes to steal the points in stoppage-time.

Andre's powerful strike deflected off Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and looped over the wrong-footed Alisson as Wolves boss Rob Edwards sprinted down the touchline in a wild celebration while Slot looked on crestfallen.

Wolves are 11 points from safety with eight games left and relegation remains almost certain despite this memorable victory.

Everton ended their dismal home form and pushed Burnley closer to relegation with a 2-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Buoyed by their 3-2 win at Newcastle last weekend, Everton dispatched second-bottom Burnley with their first win in eight home league matches.

Former Burnley defender James Tarkowski put Everton in front with a powerful header from James Garner's 32nd minute free-kick.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled Everton's advantage on the hour taking Iliman Ndiaye's pass and clipping a composed finish past Martin Dubravka from six yards.

Everton remain in contention for a European berth, while Burnley are eight points from safety with just nine games left.

Habib Diarra's penalty fired Sunderland to a 1-0 victory against Leeds on their first Premier League visit to Elland Road since 2002.

Bournemouth and Brentford shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium that did little to improve either side's hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Schjelderup packs eagles into the great battle with F. C. Porto

Benfica passed the Barcelos test. He did not do it with distinction, of course, he had to suffer in the face of the good organization and quality of Gil Vicente, but he even added the fourth consecutive victory in the championship and kept his distances for the rivals. Three points from Sporting and seven from leader F. C. Porto, the team of José Mourinho plays, next Sunday, the final card in the fight for the national title when they receive, in Luz, the dragons.

After the huge controversy that followed the first leg of the play-off, in which he was accused by Vinícius Junior of racist insults, Prestianni returned to be a starter in the incarnates, who had a false entry into the Minho. Less two full minutes and already Agustín tested Trubin's attention, in a sign of the ambition of César Peixoto's team, with Benfica needing a lot of time to start balancing the duel.

Getafe deal blow to Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes with Bernabéu victory

 

Zaid Romero, of Getafe (front), celebrates with a teammate after their stunning success against Real Madrid on Monday. Photograph: Kiko Huesca/EPA

Martín Satriano’s superb first-half volley earned Getafe a shock 1-0 victory at Real Madrid in La Liga on Monday, a result that left Barcelona four points clear at the top.

Real dominated possession from kick-off and controlled the game but failed to turn pressure into goals, squandering several chances in an ill-tempered contest. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side were left exposed in the 39th minute when a half-cleared cross dropped on the edge of the box and Satriano struck a fierce volley into the top left corner.

Frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Franco Mastantuono, on as a substitute, was shown a straight red card for dissent, while Adrián Liso was also sent off for the visitors. Barcelona lead the standings on 64 points, with Real second on 60. Getafe are 11th with 32 points.

“Obviously, it’s a match where we could have done things better, but I think my players tried and we had more clear chances than them,” Arbeloa said. “However in football deserving isn’t enough, and Getafe played a great game.”

With Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão out injured Arbeloa rotated heavily and handed the 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch his first senior start.

Getafe set the tone early, disrupting Real’s rhythm with a stream of tactical fouls. But Real managed to carve out openings and Vinícius Júnior should have put them ahead in the 13th minute when he raced clear on the counterattack, only for the goalkeeper David Soria to block his close-range effort with a sharp right-footed save.

Soria excelled again in the 24th minute, producing a one-handed stop to deny Arda Guler after the Turkish midfielder weaved past three defenders on a dazzling run into the box.

Thibaut Courtois is beaten by Martín Satriano’s first-half volley. Photograph: Manu Fernández/AP

The decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute. After Real failed to clear a cross, Satriano – playing his seventh match since joining on loan from Lyon in January – pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the box and lashed an unstoppable volley into the top-left corner.

The Santiago Bernabéu crowd responded with boos at half-time, prompting Arbeloa to introduce Dani Carvajal for Trent Alexander-Arnold while Dean Huijsen and Rodrygo were also brought on. The changes had little effect.

Real pressed but struggled to break down Getafe’s deep five-man defence. Antonio Rüdiger headed close from a corner and Rodrygo fired just wide from a rebound, yet the visitors held firm. Mastantuono’s straight red card capped a chastening night for Real, who lost at home against Getafe for the first time in 18 years.

“It’s very hard to get points when you come here, I have to congratulate the team for the work in defence, then we got our goal and we could even have scored another in the end,” said the Getafe defender Kiko Femenía.