Breaking News: US F-15 Downed Over Kuwait as Iran Conflict Escalates, Questions Rise Over Chinese Missile Systems
A U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle crashed over Kuwaiti airspace near Ali Al-Salem Air Base during a period of heightened regional missile and drone activity linked to the expanding Iran conflict. The pilot successfully ejected and was reportedly recovered alive. While the Pentagon has not confirmed the cause, regional defense analysts are examining whether advanced surface-to-air missile systems may have been involved. Particular attention has turned to Chinese-designed systems frequently discussed in defense circles, including the long-range HQ-9C and the medium-range HQ-16FE. Over recent years, international media outlets have repeatedly reported on deepening military cooperation between Beijing and Tehran:... [Continue Reading]
Chinese officials to discuss electric vehicle production regulations at upcoming legislative convention
Chinese officials and industry leaders are poised to address plans for regulating electric vehicle (EV) production during the upcoming "two sessions," a significant annual legislative convention for the country's top political bodies,the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. These discussions aim to mitigate ongoing challenges within the domestic EV sector, characterized by slowed growth and fierce price competition that has adversely impacted profit margins. The anticipated discussions are framed against a backdrop where the Chinese government has intervened previously to prevent extreme internal competition,or "involution",that has impacted nearly all EV manufacturers. In... [Continue Reading]
US and Israeli airstrikes in Iran escalate Middle East hostilities and trigger humanitarian crisis in Gaza
A severe escalation in hostilities has unfolded in the Middle East, primarily triggered by US and Israeli military strikes against Iran during the weekend. Reports indicate that these coordinated airstrikes eliminated key Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to widespread condemnation and an urgent humanitarian crisis in nearby regions, particularly in Gaza. As violence grips the area, fears mount regarding the extensive ramifications for regional stability and global security. On a recent Sunday evening, missile fire directed from Iran impacted Jerusalem, injuring five individuals, including one man in moderate condition suffering from shrapnel wounds. This missile strike is part... [Continue Reading]
Myanmar convicts charged as ‘terrorists’ by junta freed in mass amnesty
Myanmar’s military junta granted amnesty on Monday to more than 7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a “terrorist group”, a designation it has used to outlaw pro-democracy factions opposing its rule. Thousands of dissenting civilians have been swept into jails since Myanmar’s military snatched power in a 2021 coup, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and detaining elected figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi. Pro-democracy activists backing Suu Kyi and armed groups challenging... [Continue Reading]
Iran attack seen as ‘wake-up call’ for China on electronic warfare and intelligence
The US and Israel’s air strikes against Iran, accompanied by electronic and cyber capabilities, were a “wake-up call” for China’s intelligence strategy and how its military will use advanced technologies in modern warfare, analysts say. During the weekend air strikes against Iran – dubbed Operation Epic Fury – that killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the US unleashed an array of weaponry against more than 1,000 Iranian targets, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighters... [Continue Reading]
EU considers response to Middle East conflict as countries prepare to evacuate citizens – Europe live
EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warns against further escalation following US and Israel strikes on IranA so-called “security college” of the European Commission is set to meet today as the European Union is considering its options given the escalating situation in the Middle East.The bloc’s foreign ministers spoke at an online emergency meeting last night, with the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warning later about the prospect of further escalation in the region. She also stressed the importance of keeping critical waterways, like the strait of Hormuz, open. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Hawks to appeal star midfielder's rough conduct ban
Gun midfielder Jai Newcombe will challenge his one-match ban for rough conduct in a bid to play in Hawthorn's season opener against GWS. [Continue Reading]
'I thought my world was going to end' - Irish man in Doha
A young Irish man who is stranded in Doha along with this twin brother has said he thought his "world was going to end" as waves of missiles exploded over Qatari capital. [Continue Reading]
‘Simply not true’ UK is being dragged into Iraq-style conflict, says foreign secretary
Yvette Cooper says plans under consideration to evacuate about 300,000 Britons from Middle East amid Iran warUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesIt is “simply not true” that the UK is being dragged into another Iraq-style conflict in the Middle East, Yvette Cooper has said, after an RAF base in Cyprus was struck by an Iranian drone.The attack was part of a barrage of strikes by Tehran around the Middle East following a US-Israeli attack on Saturday that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The UK foreign secretary confirmed ministers were considering possible plans to evacuate about 300,000... [Continue Reading]
Award-winning interior designer says one ‘easy’ mistake can knock 10% off your home’s value
You could lose 'thousands' by making this one interior slip up [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong to expand tax exemptions for family offices, AIIB and pension fund investment
Hong Kong will expand its tax exemptions for operators of family offices and funds set up by international organisations, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in line with efforts to promote the city as a wealth management hub, a minister told lawmakers on Monday. In a financial affairs panel meeting, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, said the government would submit a bill to the Legislative Council within the first half of this... [Continue Reading]
Tom Holland and Zendaya may have secretly tied the knot at ‘ultimate stealth wedding’
We need to see the wedding dress, Law! [Continue Reading]
Advice to Irish in the Gulf to remain in place - Byrne
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence has said the advice for Irish people currently in the Gulf regions remains the same - stay sheltered and do not attempt to leave the area via land routes. [Continue Reading]
British military base in Cyprus targeted in suspected drone attack
The attack marks the first strike on a British military base in Cyprus since 1986, escalating regional tensions. [Continue Reading]
Gaza’s recovery was making progress. It risks being overshadowed by another war
Some Palestinians say they fear the widening war sparked by US and Israeli attacks against Iran could overshadow the fragile situation in Gaza, just over a week after US President Donald Trump rallied billions of dollars in pledges for the territory’s reconstruction and tried to nudge a ceasefire forward. Residents said they were scared of neglect and deprivation, with Israel in the wake of the weekend strikes closing all crossings into their shattered territory of over 2 million people. COGAT,... [Continue Reading]
Safety concerns rise for 60,000 Thai workers in Israel amid escalating Middle East conflict and missile strikes
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has intensified concerns for approximately 60,000 Thai workers currently employed in Israel, whose safety has come under renewed threat following a series of Iranian missile strikes across regional hotspots. The situation has escalated as countries react with enhanced military strategies, leading to the death of several migrant workers and the cancellation of numerous international flights. Among the casualties is a Filipino caregiver named Mary Ann V. De Vera, who was reported killed in Israel amid the current hostilities. Additionally, four South Asian migrant workers have lost their lives, one in Bahrain and three... [Continue Reading]
Gary Neville predicts where Manchester United and Chelsea will finish this season
Who will miss out on Champions League football? [Continue Reading]
Drone strike at RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus raises tensions between Western powers and Iranian forces
A recent drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus has escalated the already heightened tensions between Western powers and Iranian forces in the Middle East. The attack occurred around midnight local time, or 22:00 GMT, just hours after the UK government confirmed that the US would be allowed to use British military bases for potential defensive operations against Iranian missile sites. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident, though initial assessments indicated only minimal damage to the base. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) released a statement confirming the attack and affirmed that investigations are underway to... [Continue Reading]
Australian Grand Prix to feel 'no impact' of travel chaos
Australian Grand Prix organisers are "really confident" the travel chaos caused by the conflict in the Middle East will not impact the opening Formula 1 race of the season. [Continue Reading]
'Don't think they're appropriate': PM lashes public Khamenei memorials
Anthony Albanese says mourning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not appropriate on Australian soil as he sidesteps a big question on Donald Trump's actions. [Continue Reading]
Top Chinese officials, industry leaders may discuss capping EV output at ‘two sessions’
Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the fifth entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. Chinese government and industry officials are likely to discuss plans to control domestic electric-vehicle (EV) makers’ output, while encouraging them to prioritise... [Continue Reading]
Lack of a clear Iran plan could suck US into a long conflict:‘Where does this go?’
Fears that decision to strike could be open-ended as Trump comes under pressure to spell out his vision for the countryUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump is under pressure to spell out his vision for Iran amid the ongoing attacks on the country and reports of the first American casualties since the launch of unprovoked US and Israeli military strikes.Trump’s critics are demanding that the White House provide greater clarity about what comes next. Opponents and analysts say the lack of a clear plan outlined so far has created a danger... [Continue Reading]
Israel-Iran conflict: Middle East aviation remains grounded with airspace and airports closed
Hundreds more flights have been cancelled on Monday leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded around the world. [Continue Reading]
UK draws up evacuation plans for 200,000 British nationals in the Middle East
'I know this is a deeply worrying time.' [Continue Reading]
Missile fire from Iran wounds five in Jerusalem
Five people were wounded in Jerusalem after missiles fired from Iran struck the area, as cross-border attacks continued for a third day. [Continue Reading]
Woman who died after being shot with bean-bag round threw axe at police, inquest hears
An inquest has been told a Newcastle woman who died after being shot with a bean-bag round, threw an axe at police when they entered her home. [Continue Reading]
What can players and clubs do about 'AI slop'?
There is an exponential growth of AI 'slop' involving players and football clubs. Is there anything that can be done to stop it? [Continue Reading]
Gary Lineker names his ‘player of the season’ after Man Utd and Arsenal wins
'What a brain!' [Continue Reading]
Former NSW Liberal premier Nick Greiner warned executive of internal backlash over burying of election defeat review
Release of review delayed after former leader Peter Dutton raised concerns about some findings against him and his chief-of-staffGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former New South Wales premier Nick Greiner warned the Liberal federal executive that burying a review of the 2025 election defeat risked backlash from party members and in the media, exposing further internal splits over the move.As details of the report start to leak – despite the decision to keep them secret – Guardian Australia can reveal Greiner raised concerns about suppressing the report during Friday’s meeting of the party’s top... [Continue Reading]
Backlash deepens over AI seatbelt cameras as drivers fined for passengers’ behaviour
Frustration is deepening over drivers being ordered to pay hundreds of dollars in fines for infringements incurred by their passengers , including young children and neurodivergent people not wearing seatbelts correctly. [Continue Reading]
Residents flee Beirut suburbs after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah
Residents fled Beirut’s southern suburbs after Israeli strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, as tensions linked to the Iran conflict spread to Lebanon. [Continue Reading]
War widens as Israel, US strike Iran and clash with Hezbollah
The US president has warned that operations may last weeks, while Tehran continued to attack countries across the Middle East on Monday, as Iran war entered its third day. Follow our live blog. [Continue Reading]
Key moments from the first 48 hours of war in the Middle East
As the war in the Middle East escalates, ABC NEWS Verify has gathered verified video and satellite imagery in an early attempt to piece together some of the key events of the past 48 hours. [Continue Reading]
Blasts shake Qatar, UAE, Kuwait as Iran’s retaliatory strikes continue
Iran's retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region continue for a third day as fears of a prolonged conflict rise. [Continue Reading]
Coalition brands Australian children in Syria terrorist 'sympathisers'
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has escalated his attack on the federal government over its response to the so-called "ISIS brides" cohort. [Continue Reading]
Iran’s Larijani refutes claims Tehran pushed to resume US talks
The comments come after US media reported a diplomatic push following the killing of Iran's supreme leader. [Continue Reading]
Thailand’s workers in Israel hunker down as Iran strikes targets across Gulf
With memories still raw from the deaths of scores of its nationals during the Gaza war, Thailand has issued an alert to its estimated 110,000 citizens working across the Middle East as the US-Israel conflict with Iran rages across the region. Around 60,000 Thais are working in Israel’s fields, factories and shops, drawn by higher ‘danger money’ pay than what they could get back home and in competing markets. Thai authorities have said that an additional 250 Thais are believed to still be in... [Continue Reading]
Oil surges as Iran conflict disrupts supply flow
Oil prices surged by as much as 13% today after shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz was disrupted by retaliatory Iranian attacks following initial bombing by Israel and the US that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. [Continue Reading]
AFL's Opening Round and State of Origin here to stay, says Dillon
AFL chief Andrew Dillon backs the contentious Opening Round format and says State of Origin matches are here to stay. [Continue Reading]
Brewdog closes all bars for a day as it looks to complete sale
The company brought in consultants AlixPartners last month, after failing to make a profit in recent years. [Continue Reading]
China’s AI power play: Beijing banks on clean-energy boom to triumph over US
China’s rapid push into artificial intelligence and its simultaneous energy transition are central to overtaking the United States in technological supremacy, according to a former finance vice-minister. Competition in the field of AI has shifted from purely a technological sprint to a broader contest over application scenarios and regulatory frameworks, led by the world’s two largest economies, Zhu Guangyao explained. “China’s leading position in energy transition has laid a solid foundation... [Continue Reading]
I earn £85,000 but my shopping addiction is stopping me from buying a house
'My boyfriend is fuming.' [Continue Reading]
The best 2026 trainer trends to buy now – from ASOS to H&M and M&S
Jazz shoes are back for 2026 , and these high‑street pairs are stunning. [Continue Reading]
Beautiful reason Gemma Bissix felt like a child when returning to EastEnders
It's a homecoming for Gemma Bissix. [Continue Reading]
Rainy Tuesday expected in Hong Kong, with temperatures dipping to 16 degrees Celsius
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hongkongers should brace for cooler and rainy weather on Tuesday as temperatures are expected to drop progressively to as low as 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) as a cold front approaches, according to the city’s weather forecaster. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Monday that a cold front over inland Guangdong was moving southwards and was expected to... [Continue Reading]
New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026?
As Formula 1 steps into a new era with new rules, cars, engines and the addition of an 11th team, BBC Sport breaks down the changes for 2026. [Continue Reading]
Lowry: I had it my hands and threw it away
Shane Lowry admitted he was "extremely disappointed" after missing out on victory in front of his four-year-old daughter as he surrendered a three-shot lead down the stretch at the Cognizant Classic in Florida. [Continue Reading]
