A Possible Explanation: The US knew there was a threat to RAF Fairford - that's not in dispute here. The FPCON changes, armed patrol vehicles inside the base and concrete barricades all show that. It seems possible to me that perhaps these 5 lads (or 8-10 if the eyewitness farmer is correct) were not actually there to attack the base - perhaps (given the fake fuel vans) they were actually in the area trying to steal fuel from local vehicles. The farmer sees it, calls police. Police (who likely were aware of the USAF concerns) swarm into the area having perhaps not expected the "attackers" so soon. They manage to arrest 5 suspects and treat the 3 vans with every necessary precaution (as they should) - evacuating the neighbourhood, bringing Army EOD in, etc. The males are initially arrested for Explosives Act offences (pending a safe way to check inside the vans) & go to custody. In the circumstances, further arrested for the Terrorism Act offence. However, after seizing whatever evidence they could (and examining the vans), it looks like police may have determined these aren't the attackers - as I say, potentially fuel thieves in the wrong place at the wrong time? It's worth noting that if the terrorism act offences were looking likely, police could keep them detained for 48hrs initially before requiring a court to approve a longer period of time. Alternatively under normal arrest powers contained within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, they can be held for 24hrs initially (extended to 36hrs under authority of a Police Superintendent if specific requirements are met), and up to 72hrs if a further extension is authorised by a court. Now clearly if they were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning and conveyed either to a local custody, or a dedicated counter-terrorism custody (likely closest in London), the fact they've been bailed today suggests they've spent at most 24-30hrs in custody before evidential review officers and the Crown Prosecution Service have determined there is insufficient evidence to charge them with an offence right now. So they bail them with conditions not to contact each other as is normal procedure for vehicle interference/theft offences like that. But police need to download and analyse phones, and anything potentially seized from home addresses in order to ensure no link to the Iranian government or IRGC. Meanwhile, did the actual planned attack get foiled inadvertently? Perhaps? Trump told the world that the US had been monitoring the "attackers" for some time - I'd suggest that if these lads genuinely were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, the actual suspects are now staying hidden until this all blows over a bit. Either way, we don't have all the facts and that's part of any criminal or CT investigation - so yes, it sounds bad and arguably CTP could have done a better job of explaining it to the public, but they have to play their cards close to their chest right now in case my guesswork here is right and the suspects are still out there somewhere.

Crazy take here: Terrorist suspects shouldn’t be eligible for bail.

Counter Terrorism Police Update Cordon remains in place but they hope to reduce later today so people can return to their homes. The five men will be released on bail….

According to BBC, the five men arrested near RAF Fairford over suspicion of offenses under the UK's Explosives Act in the have been additionally charged with “plotting to commit a terrorist act.” This comes following a press conference by police. No state or non-state actor behind the incident has been named at the time of writing.

A farmer driving home from a party near RAF Fairford spotted three suspicious white vans blocking a country road and masked men in balaclavas scattering into nearby fields and toward the US air base. She turned around, called police and warned residents to lock their doors. Within 25 minutes, five men had been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, The Telegraph reports.

Dylan Raiola is in at QB for Oregon after Dante Moore was injured on this brutal targeting hit

A joint statement from Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Kansas Livestock Association and Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association regarding the ongoing ICE operations in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas: “The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association are closely monitoring reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity affecting agricultural communities in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Our organizations respect the responsibility of federal agencies to enforce the law. At the same time, cattle producers, feedyards, dairies, livestock markets, processors, and other rural businesses depend on a stable workforce to care for animals, protect food safety, and keep the supply chains operating. Sudden workforce disruptions can create immediate animal-welfare, operational, and economic consequences that extend well beyond an individual business. These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving. Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers. Reported impacts to our organizations throughout the past few days have been: - Thousands of fed cattle slated for shipping to processors now delayed, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs. - Workforce disruptions at numerous supply chain chokepoints such as feedyards, dairies, processors, feed and grain companies, transportation hubs, and community services. These disruptions come at a time of enhanced focus and pressure on the cattle and beef supply chain. They are a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain. Frustratingly, the harm these actions cause to cattle producers last for days and weeks after such operations conclude. We urge federal officials to conduct enforcement actions in a lawful, orderly, and transparent manner; respect due process; and communicate clearly with affected employers and communities.”

Trump to Xi: We have a lot of respect for you, a lot of respect.

The U.S. Army Reserve is reviewing whether it can provide logistics, engineering, medical and military police units to U.S. Southern Command within 90–120 days. The request is part of contingency planning for possible action against Cuba, though no deployment orders have been issued. Source: CBS News

Massachusetts absolutely cooking right now. Hub of the universe.