Kuwait International Airport was struck by several drones on Thursday morning, damaging airport facilities but causing no casualties, according to Kuwait’s civil aviation authority. The attacks forced the airport to implement emergency protocols coordinated with state agencies to contain the disruption and maintain safety. In a related incident, debris from the drone activity caused the failure of six overhead power transmission lines, affecting electricity distribution across multiple locations. The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy reported the outages and is working to restore full service. These coordinated drone strikes highlight growing security risks to vital infrastructure in Kuwait amid... [Continue Reading]
Local governments across China have rushed to ride the OpenClaw AI boom in hopes of spurring economic growth, only for Beijing to step in swiftly to rein in the frenzy. It has issued a series of safety warnings that analysts say underscore the divide in priorities between local and central authorities. The rush to adopt the artificial intelligence (AI) software has seen major internet companies offer low-cost or easily accessible versions, while local governments have rolled out subsidies to... [Continue Reading]
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has recently escalated with a series of bombings targeting Iran, reports indicate. Israeli security sources have admitted that there was a lack of effective planning for regime change when launches began, suggesting that the expectation of a popular uprising was largely based on "wishful thinking" rather than solid intelligence. This situation continues to evolve as U.S. President Donald Trump contemplates the future direction of the costly military endeavor. Approximately two weeks into the conflict, Iranian leadership remains intact despite intense airstrikes. Among these was an operation that reportedly resulted in the assassination of... [Continue Reading]
Microsoft has begun lifting the lid on its next Xbox console, sharing the first official details during this week’s Game Developers Conference. [Continue Reading]
An Israeli strike on central Beirut's seafront killed eight people early on Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said, another attack in the heart of the capital, as Iran-backed Hezbollah launched more missiles at Israel. [Continue Reading]
Lebanon's Hezbollah said it launched missiles at an Israeli military intelligence base in the suburbs of Tel Aviv early on Thursday, the Iran-backed group's latest claim in a major operation against Israel it announced hours earlier. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said earlier that they had carried out a joint missile operation with ally Hezbollah against targets in Israel. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem. [Continue Reading]
The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, topped $100 a barrel early Thursday, just days after it spiked near $120. Oil prices shot more than 9% higher as supply concerns worsened with Iranian attacks on commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz. The latest attacks marked an escalation in Iran’s campaign aimed at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end the war that started 12 days ago. [Continue Reading]
The International Energy Agency on Wednesday agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to combat a spike in global crude prices since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, with the US contributing the bulk of the supply. [Continue Reading]
The pair dated in 2005. [Continue Reading]
Singapore is preparing to build its tallest public housing project yet with some blocks rising above 60 storeys in the historic Chinatown area, in a sign of the city state pushing for higher density in prime areas to meet demand. Such super-tall developments are unlikely to become the norm, according to analysts, who cite higher construction costs, site constraints and tighter regulations aimed at preventing centrally located flats from becoming speculative investments. Singapore would build the... [Continue Reading]
Two sources spoke anonymously to the Washington Post, revealing that the Defence Secretary's staff deemed the photos 'unflattering'. [Continue Reading]
Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets on Thursday. The renewed drone and missile attacks against Iran's Gulf neighbours and Israel followed a warning from Tehran that it could wage a prolonged war that would "destroy" the world economy. FRANCE 24's Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi tells us more about Iran's strategy. [Continue Reading]
US group Citi, consultancies Deloitte and PwC and other firms in Dubai have closed offices or asked employees to evacuate Wednesday after Iran threatened US and Israel-linked economic assets in the Middle East. The evacuations at the heart of the Middle East's financial hub come as the Gulf but especially the UAE has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes. [Continue Reading]
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on March 12 addressing the urgent need to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East. Both agreed that regional and international collaboration is critical to prevent a broader conflict and the spread of chaos. They stressed that political dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means to defuse the situation. Abdelatty warned that continued violence risks catastrophic repercussions affecting not only the region but global peace and security. The conversation reflected deep concerns over an expanding cycle of conflict that threatens the security apparatus... [Continue Reading]
The use of AI to facilitate attacks in Iran has ushered in a new era of tactics. Palantir, the US data analytics company has taken on a major role in war technology. FRANCE 24’s Simon Moritz and Jules Boiteau take a look at its origins and how it's used. [Continue Reading]
'One of the hardest watches.' [Continue Reading]
The goalkeepers' union have come out in support of the Spurs shot-stopper. [Continue Reading]
More than 1,000 athletes compete in the World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships at Taipei Arena, marking the first time Taiwan has hosted the international competition. [Continue Reading]
Deputy Ambassador James Ford of the United Kingdom warned at the OSCE that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is inflicting severe humanitarian suffering and destabilizing not only Ukraine but the wider region. The conflict, which has persisted for over four years, involves relentless Russian military assaults causing deaths and hardship among Ukrainian civilians. Ford emphasized the broader consequences of the war beyond the battlefield, pointing to increased insecurity and economic instability that threaten regional and global stability. The UK insists that achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is essential to restoring stability across Europe and worldwide. The statement... [Continue Reading]
Campaigners say people unlikely to ‘look favourably’ on package for Wael Sawan, which rose to £13.8m in 2025The chief executive of Shell saw his pay jump more than 60% to almost £14m in 2025 despite a slump in profits at the oil company and prospects of rising pump prices related to war in the Middle East.The package for Wael Sawan, who took the top job in 2023 and has refocused the company on fossil fuels, rose from £8.6m in 2024 to £13.8m in 2025. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
A new violent escalation in Lebanon – but in reality, the war that began in 2023 never truly stopped. According to the United Nations, the ceasefire signed in November 2024 between Hezbollah and Israel has been violated more than 14,000 times by Israel. Then, in late February, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in US-Israeli bombings. In response, Hezbollah – Lebanon’s pro-Iran militia – retaliated from southern Lebanon, raising the risk of plunging the entire country into yet another full-scale war. Since then, Israeli evacuation orders have forced nearly a quarter of Lebanon’s population to flee their homes. [Continue Reading]
Things took a devastating turn. [Continue Reading]
Nine PSP officers are in custody over alleged torture, rape and abuse in Lisbon, as authorities probe wider police involvement and pledge swift justice. [Continue Reading]
The ITV star has had a turbulent few weeks. [Continue Reading]
A passenger that departed from Dandong in China arrived in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Thursday evening, state media said, after a six-year hiatus following strict border closures enforced in 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and a vital source of diplomatic, economic and political support for the isolated nuclear state. [Continue Reading]
The Lloyds Banking Group customers reported being able to view payments and charges from other sources. [Continue Reading]
'I was there to boost the ratings!!!' [Continue Reading]
A new opportunity. [Continue Reading]
North Korea face Australia in the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals, and promise no repeat of protests in China game. [Continue Reading]
China has officially approved a sweeping new law that promotes what it terms "ethnic unity," drawing sharp criticism from rights advocates who argue that it undermines the cultural and linguistic rights of minority groups, particularly the Uyghurs. This law was passed by the National People's Congress during its annual session and emphasizes the promotion of Mandarin as the "national common language" across various facets of public life including education and official business. This legislation mandates that all children in China learn Mandarin, starting from before kindergarten and continuing through to the end of high school. Previously, students in regions predominantly... [Continue Reading]
The opening week of the war against Iran cost the United States more than US$11.3 billion, lawmakers were told in a Pentagon briefing, according to a New York Times report underscoring the pace at which the conflict is consuming weapons and resources. The Times, citing unnamed sources familiar with Tuesday’s closed-door briefing, said members of Congress were told that the figure excludes many costs connected with the build-up to the strikes – suggesting the final tally for the first week could... [Continue Reading]
If regime holds, control of enriched uranium may be ultimate measure of US-Israeli success, insiders sayMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael did not have a realistic plan for regime change when it attacked Iran, multiple Israeli security sources have said, with expectations that airstrikes could drive a popular uprising driven by “wishful thinking” rather than hard intelligence.Iran has now survived nearly two weeks of bombing raids and the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Trump is publicly contemplating ending an increasingly costly war. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
In response to soaring oil prices tied to the ongoing conflict in Iran, several airlines operating in Asia and Europe have begun increasing their fares and fuel surcharges, significantly impacting global travel. The surge in oil prices comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions related to the conflict, leading to widespread disruptions in air travel. Data from analytics firm Cirium indicates that over 43,000 flights traveling to and from the Middle East were cancelled between February 28 and March 10, further driving demand for alternative routes and inflating ticket prices. The ramifications of this spike in oil prices are being... [Continue Reading]
Golestan Palace in Tehran, a world heritage site, and buildings in historic city of Isfahan harmed, despite Unesco sending coordinatesMiddle East crisis – latest updatesThe governor of the historic Iranian city of Isfahan has accused the US and Israel of a “declaration of war on a civilization” as heritage sites across the country suffer damage in their bombing campaign.The most serious confirmed damage to date has been to Tehran’s Golestan Palace, dating back to the 14th century, and the 17th-century Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
The ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran has expanded into a new phase, with intense fighting reported near Beirut and in southern Lebanon. This escalation has resulted in significant casualties and mass displacement. Sources confirm that the current clashes have led to the deaths of more than 630 individuals and forced at least 800,000 people to evacuate their homes, creating a pressing humanitarian crisis in the region. Recent reports indicate that Israel's military operations against Iranian-affiliated forces, particularly Hezbollah, have intensified. These developments follow a broader conflict that has been unfolding in various forms throughout the region, with communities... [Continue Reading]
Proposed package comes after regulator finds ‘serious and unacceptable breaches’ in how company operatesWelsh Water is to pay a proposed £44.7m after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.Ofwat said Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water failed to properly operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater network to ensure it could cope with levels of sewage and wastewater, and did not have adequate processes in place or oversight by senior bosses. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
After 16 months since his quiet exit Alex will be back on our screens [Continue Reading]
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, March 12: Multiple leaks to the American press by Pentagon officials point the finger at faulty US data that listed an Iranian primary school as a military target, leading to a Tomahawk strike that killed more than 170 people. In other news, UK papers react to the “Mandelson Papers”. And finally, The Guardian reports on an intrepid young fox with an American dream. [Continue Reading]
Following the death of Ronnie Delany, his achievements on the track were recalled by John Treacy and Eamon Coghlan, with both of the view that his success at the 1956 Olympics was truly remarkable given the global nature of athletics. [Continue Reading]
Sunshine 100 China Holdings, a mainland Chinese developer facing debts amid China’s property sector downturn, said on Thursday that it plans to oppose a winding-up petition filed against it in Hong Kong. HTI Financial Solutions and Haitong International Financial Products filed the winding-up petition against the developer at the High Court of Hong Kong over an unpaid redemption sum of about US$205 million, including accrued interest, due on March 19, 2025, according to a Sunshine 100 filing... [Continue Reading]
China’s central bank has called for heightened cybersecurity awareness and caution in the use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector, adding to a chorus of warnings over security risks amid the nationwide buzz surrounding the OpenClaw AI agent. At its annual technology conference in Beijing on Wednesday, the People’s Bank of China called for further efforts to “enhance the resilience of cybersecurity and data security”, according to a readout of the meeting posted on its website. The... [Continue Reading]
Plus, Planned Parenthood’s new offering: Botox. [Continue Reading]
From speaking Chinese to filming square dancing in a park, Hollywood’s golden boy Timothée Chalamet gave his fans a lot to talk about during his trip to China. The 30-year-old American-French actor, affectionately called tian cha, “Sweet Tea”, by his Chinese fans due to the phonetic similarity to his name, is considered a front runner to win an Oscar. His recent trip to China is to promote Marty Supreme, a film about a shoe salesman who risks everything to pursue his dream of becoming a world... [Continue Reading]
Under new Taliban laws, a husband is allowed to beat his wife as long as it is not done with ‘obscene force’, which the woman must prove in courtThe shocking level of physical violence against women permitted under the Taliban’s new laws has been revealed this week by the case of a woman in northern Afghanistan, who said she was beaten with a cable wire by her husband and told by a judge: “You want a divorce just because of that? … A little anger and a few beatings won’t kill you.”Farzana* said her husband was quick-tempered and often resorted... [Continue Reading]
Comments in books, speeches and videos shed new light on defense secretary’s personal commitment to war on IranThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has expressed a violent antipathy towards Iran for years in books, Fox News broadcasts, educational videos and a 2018 speech to an Israeli media conference in Jerusalem, a Guardian review has revealed.In a 2020 book, for example, Hegseth wrote that Iran’s leaders were “actively seeking the military means – especially nuclear weapons – to bring the West to its knees”. And in a 2017 video for PragerU, the hard-right media platform, Hegseth described Iran as “America’s mortal... [Continue Reading]
TV star announces birth of Ozzy Matilda Osbourne on social media, alongside image of cuddly batJack Osbourne, the only son of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, has honoured his late father by naming his baby daughter after him.Jack, 40, announced the birth of Ozzy Matilda Osbourne on social media alongside his wife, Aree, who he married in 2023. The newborn Ozzy was pictured lying next to a cuddly bat toy: another reference to his father, who famously bit the head off a real bat during a 1982 concert believing it was made of rubber. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
The UK government’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) currently has a significant number of cases pending a conclusive grounds decision for potential victims of modern slavery. These cases are referred by authorized first responders such as police forces, local authorities, NGOs, and government agencies tasked with identifying and supporting victims. Potential victims remain in limbo as authorities assess whether individuals meet the criteria for modern slavery protections. This delay can hinder victims' access to vital support services including housing, medical care, and legal assistance. The backlog reflects the ongoing pressure on the UK’s system to process and respond to modern slavery... [Continue Reading]
The UK Ministry of Defence published its 2025 Trade, Industry and Contracts bulletin, outlining the department's spending patterns with industry and commerce. This report provides a breakdown of defence expenditure and examines its broader influence on the UK economy, comparing MOD spending with other government departments and international counterparts. Notably, the report excludes data on Major Equipment Projects for 2025 due to changes in reporting formats. Previously, equipment spending was included under Project Performance tables within the Defence Equipment Plan. However, no equivalent data was produced for 2024, as the Defence Equipment Plan will be replaced by a new Defence... [Continue Reading]
The United Kingdom's latest statistical report on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000 reveals that 31 arrests were made under the act in the year ending December 31, 2025. These arrests resulted from police actions aimed at countering terrorist threats and maintaining national security. The report also covers outcomes of these arrests, such as prosecutions or releases, and offers detailed data on stops and searches carried out under the act's provisions. This data underscores the continued vigilance of UK law enforcement agencies in detecting terrorism-related activities amid a complex security environment. It highlights the balance authorities must strike between... [Continue Reading]