US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Tanker hit by ‘large explosion’ off Kuwait, causing oil spill; Iran launches missiles at Israel
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Pentagon identifies six US soldiers killed in Iran conflict
Pentagon identifies six US soldiers killed in Iran conflict 9 hours agoShareSaveOlivia IrelandandKayla EpsteinShareSaveUS Army Reserve CommandFrom left to right: Capt Cody Khork, Sgt 1st Class Noah Tietjens, Sgt 1st Class Nicole Amor and Sgt Declan Coady – two other service members who have yet to be identified also died in the Kuwait strikeThe US military has confirmed the identities of all six soldiers killed in the conflict with Iran.
They were killed when an “unmanned aircraft system” evaded air defences to hit a command centre in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on Sunday.
US Central Command initially said three soldiers died in the attack, but officials confirmed on Monday the death toll had doubled, after one person succumbed to injuries and two more bodies were found in the rubble.
Those killed were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M Marzan, 54, Maj Jeffrey R O'Brien, 45, Capt Cody Khork, 35, Sgt Noah Tietjens, 42, Sgt Nicole Amor, 39, and Sgt Declan Coady, 20, who was posthumously pro..
Russian shadow fleet LNG tanker sinks after ‘sudden explosions’ off Libya coast
A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, has sunk in the central Mediterranean between Libya and Malta after a “sudden explosion” triggered a massive blaze on board, Libya’s ports and maritime transport authority said on Wednesday.They added that all 30 crew members were rescued in nearby Libyan waters.Libya’s ports and maritime transport authority said Arctic Metagaz tanker “had experienced sudden explosions followed by a massive fire, which ultimately led to its complete sinking,” ultimately led to the tanker’s complete sinking north of the Libyan coast.There have been no immediate reports of casualties among the crew.According to local reports, Russia’s transport ministry later accused Ukraine of launching a naval‑drone attack against the tanker from the Libyan coast, claiming that the Arctic Metagaz was struck by uncrewed surface vessels, but Kyiv has not publicly commented on the allegation.Israel attacks IranUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran launches..
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Saudi Arabia announces Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holidays for government and private sectors
Saudi Arabia sets official Eid Al Fitr 2026 holiday / Image: File Saudi Arabia has officially announced the Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holidays for employees across the government, private and non-profit sectors, giving millions of workers clarity on their break at the end of Ramadan. The decision was confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which outlined the start date and duration of the holiday in line with labour regulations in the Kingdom.Saudi Arabia Eid Al Fitr 2026 holiday datesAccording to the ministry, the Eid Al Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors will begin at the end of the working day on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1447 AH. The break will last four days. Employees are therefore expected to remain off duty through Saturday, March 21, 2026, before resuming work based on their company’s official schedule.Israel attacks IranUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran launches 'massive missile' strike at ..
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Singapore’s ‘ageless’ photographer Chuando Tan turns 60 and fans still cannot believe it
AdvertisementSingaporeThis Week in AsiaPeopleSingapore’s ‘ageless’ photographer Chuando Tan turns 60 and fans still cannot believe itWhile online users continue to marvel over his looks and physique, Tan has said he does not have a secret formula for eternal youth
2-MIN READ2-MINSCMP’s Asia deskPublished: 7:10pm, 4 Mar 2026Updated: 7:16pm, 4 Mar 2026Singaporean fashion photographer and former model Chuando Tan has turned 60, and his birthday photos are once again fuelling disbelief online over the youthful appearance that first made him a social media sensation nearly a decade ago.
Tan shared a reflective message alongside photos posted to Instagram on Tuesday to mark the milestone, quickly attracting hundreds of thousands of likes and a wave of comments from followers marvelling at how little he appears to have aged.
“Today, on my 60th birthday, I am reminded that time is the only real wealth. Each sunrise arrives as an inheritance, not a guarantee,” Tan wrote in the post. “The wiser ..
Thick smoke rises as fire breaks out near US consulate in Dubai after drone strike
A fire broke out near the US consulate in Dubai following a drone strike on Tuesday night (3 March).
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Trump threatens to halt all trade with Spain over the US-Iran war
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a full U.S. trade embargo on Spain after the NATO ally refused to let the U.S. military use its bases for missions linked to strikes on Iran.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain.”
He said he had told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Spain.
The U.S. relocated 15 aircraft, including refuelling tankers, from the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain after the country’s Socialist leadership said it would not allow them to be used to attack Iran.
Trump again referenced Spain’s refusal to heed U.S. calls for all NATO members to spend five percent of their GDP on defence, and added: “Spain has absolutely nothing that we need.”
“All business having to do with Spain, I have the right to stop it. Embargoes – do anything I want with it – and we ..
Song Ping, veteran Chinese Communist, dies aged 108 after career that spanned decades
AdvertisementChina’s Communist PartyChinaPoliticsBreaking | Song Ping, veteran Chinese Communist, dies aged 108 after career that spanned decadesSong worked with several generations of leaders, starting as Zhou Enlai’s secretary and later talent-spotted future president Hu Jintao
1-MIN READ1-MIN1 ListenJosephine MaPublished: 6:56pm, 4 Mar 2026Updated: 7:10pm, 4 Mar 2026Song Ping, a veteran Chinese revolutionary who lived through five generations of Communist Party leaders, has died at the age of 108.
He died at 3.36pm in Beijing on Wednesday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Song’s career began in the 1930s before the founding of the People’s Republic including a spell as political secretary to the future premier Zhou Enlai.
AdvertisementSong held many important positions during the following decades and his career peaked when he became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the top decision-making body, in 1989. He retired in 1992 at the age of 75.
Song Ping (left) and former..
Spain’s Pedro Sánchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying ‘no to war’
Spain's Pedro Sánchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying 'no to war'10 minutes agoShareSaveGuy Hedgecoe,In MadridandPaul Kirby,Europe digital editorShareSaveLa Moncloa HandoutPedro Sánchez told Spaniards that one 'illegality' could not be met with anotherSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has delivered a strong rebuttal to US President Donald Trump's threat to end trade with Spain by restating his opposition to war and what he called the “breakdown of international law”.
In a 10-minute televised address, Sánchez reflected on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the Iraq War more than 20 years ago and said the Spanish government's position was “no to war”.
Trump threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain in response to Madrid's refusal to allow the US to use the jointly-run bases at Morón and Rotafor for strikes on Iran.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesda..
Gas and oil prices soar and shares tumble on fears conflict could escalate
Gas and oil prices soar and shares tumble on fears conflict could escalate13 hours agoShareSaveOsmond ChiaandNatalie Sherman,Business reportersShareSaveGetty ImagesGas prices have spiked and global stock markets tumbled as the conflict in the Middle East intensified and concerns grew over how long it will last.
The UK gas price surged to its highest level for three years on Tuesday, following sharp gains on Monday, while Brent crude oil benchmark briefly rose above $85 a barrel for the first time since July 2024.
Meanwhile, the share prices of companies on US, European and Asian stock markets plunged.
Since Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated, investors have been weighing the potential economic impact, including what it could mean for inflation and interest rates.
There are fears the fight in a region that plays a key role in global energy supplies and shipping routes could have a similar impact to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago..