Iran attacks US bases across Middle East as Donald Trump threatens 'much harder' strikes
Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on US bases across the Middle East after Donald Trump threatened to hit the country "much harder".The country attacked a US base on Erbil in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan and a Marine base in Jordan's Aqaba in retaliation for an attack in southern Iran, according to the country's state-run media.The Iranian Red Crescent, a non-governmental humanitarian organisation in the country, said shrapnel from the strike killed four people, including a child, at a wedding celebration in Kuhestak, Sirik.At least 35 were injured in the strikes. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say US Central Command (Centcom) had earlier confirmed it concluded a wave of strikes on Iranian military targets after the IRGC attempted to strike commercial shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members.Spokesman for Centcom, Capt. Tim Hawkins, responding to the reports, said the US was aware of reports from Iranian state media concerning the strikes"The US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC," he added.Jordanian Armed Forces said it had intercepted 13 ballistic missiles, 10 of which were destroyed, while three landed in remote areas.Separately, Bahrain's said its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed Iranian drones over its territory.The Kingdom, through its Ministry of Interior on social media, issued three "potential threat" warnings in five hours.Among the 100 military targets the US struck were two Iranian tankers.US military sources said the move was part of a new "tanker for tanker" policy approved by Mr Trump, first reported by Axios.LATEST ON IRAN:Vladimir Putin covertly helping Iran develop supersonic missiles through US-sanctioned defence firmUS issues urgent warning in three Middle East nations as airspace could close imminentlyIran vows revenge after first US strike since late JulyAnd the President had earlier said on Tuesday that, if Iran retaliated at all, he would hit the country "at a much harder and higher level".Mr Trump also said an even larger attack was "waiting in the wings".When the larger attack happens "there will be very little left" of the country, he added.Early on Wednesday morning, the Navy carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand's Laem Chabang after more than 200 days at sea in the Middle East.The carrier, roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard, had been plagued with reports of deteriorating mental health and attempted suicides.Accompanied by other US military vessels, the carrier will be stationed for five days in Thailand for five days to allow for rest and recuperation.The re-emergence of regular strikes between Washington and Tehran follows the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).The White House had previously announced it would hit Iran with an "economic D-Day" amid a deterioration of talks between the sides.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Several people injured after 'unknown object' explodes at German train station as 'major operation' launched
Police are currently responding to an explosion at Augsburg's main train station.An unidentified object exploded around 4.15am in a building passageway, injuring several people.Traffic and public transport are currently disrupted as the investigation continues.Police spokesman Michael Niefenecker told local newspaper Allgäuer Zeitung two people suffered minor injuries as a result of the blast. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The explosion was near a VR Bank in the station, but Mr Niefenecker stressed a possible bank heist was "pure speculation" and the police was still investigating.Further information about the object and the explosion could no currently be provided, he added.It remains unclear if the police is searching for a suspect.The scene of the blast is primarily located at the station's Bahnhofstrasse, the main street near the station.The station building and platform 1 remain closed, a police spokesman told German newspaper Bild.Train services are able to run on other platforms, which are accessible through the north and south entrances.Several windows also shattered in the explosion, according to local reports.The number of people injured is unclear, as is the cause of the explosion.LATEST IN GERMANY:Shooting at factory site near major German trade fair centre leaves two dead and multiple injuredGermany claims Russia responsible for explosive drone attack on major airportBritish woman stabbed to death at German train station as police rush in to arrest knifemanThe street outside the train station is currently closed and the police have urged the public to "avoid the area widely" in a statement on social media.The blast comes just days after an unexploded Second World War-era aircraft bomb was found in Augsburg.Construction workers found the ordnance during work, forcing around 200 people to evacuate.Hours after its discovery on August 31, bomb specialists determined the unexploded bomb no longer had a fuse.That was not the first time Augusburg had to be evacuated because of a Second World War-era bomb.In 2016, more than 50,000 residents were forced to flee after a 1.8-tonne British explosive, believed to be dating to a 1944 air raid, was found.German authorities moved the ordnance on Christmas day because it was easier to evacuate residents than a normal working day.Most Germans celebrating Christmas open their presents and have their main festive meal on 24 December, rather than Christmas Day.More to follow... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Labour urged to strip benefits from parents whose children terrorise communities with anti-social behaviour
Labour has been urged to strip benefits from parents whose children repeatedly terrorise communities with anti-social behaviour.Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called on ministers to "re-take our streets from the gangs" as a major report proposed tougher punishments for problem households.The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), which Sir Iain chairs, has called for families living in social housing to face eviction where a member of the household persistently engages in anti-social behaviour.The proposed powers would apply regardless of the age of the person responsible, meaning parents could ultimately lose their homes over the repeated behaviour of their children. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Unpaid fines for anti-social behaviour could also be deducted directly from Universal Credit at 15 per cent of the standard allowance.The proposals come after the proportion of adults who said they had witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour rose to 41 per cent in 2025/26, up from 36 per cent the previous year, according to the CSJ.Sir Iain described anti-social behaviour as "the single greatest issue affecting the law-abiding public".He said it had become "a case of police and councils turning a blind eye as it gets worse".Sir Iain added: "We must re-take our streets from the gangs for the sake of law-abiding citizens."I urge ministers to take this report and its proposals seriously."The think tank has also called for councils to be given powers to introduce three-month bans on face coverings in areas plagued by crime.Its Hijacked High Streets inquiry sets out 32 proposals aimed at tackling crime, disorder and social breakdown on Britain's high streets.CRIME - READ THE LATEST:Heartbroken father of stabbing victim declares stop and search 'essential' to tackling knife crimeCharlie Kirk's suspected killer pleads not guilty as judge keeps death penalty on tableNearly 100 'dangerous' prisoners raped and killed after release as PM moves to axe indefinite termsThe report also calls for repeat shoplifters to face GPS tagging, curfews and restrictions preventing them from entering certain areas.Security guards would be handed greater powers to detain suspected shoplifters, while retailers would be encouraged to report every theft to police.Ministers have also been urged to clear the way for retailers to use facial recognition technology to identify prolific offenders.Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "If people do not feel safe on their high streets, they will not visit them."Labour have compounded the problem by being soft on crime, failing to tackle dodgy vendors and rolling out tax hikes that have forced much-loved high street businesses to close and led to whole streets being boarded up."Labour lack the backbone to do anything about it. Their solution to crime is to release thousands of dangerous offenders onto our streets."Meanwhile they have cut police numbers since the election."The CSJ's wider investigation also found that more than 4,000 shops had illicit tobacco, cigarettes or vapes seized in 2025, almost 1,000 more than the previous year.However, just eight per cent of offending premises were temporarily closed, leaving more than nine in 10 open following enforcement action.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Labour faces 'humdinger' battle with Greens in London by-election after Keir Starmer quits seat
News | Politics Labour faces 'humdinger' battle with Greens in London by-election after Keir Starmer quits seat The looming contest in Sir Keir Starmer’s north London constituency will present a major test of Andy Burnham's leadership Allow Exco Player content This content is provided . Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content. Allow and Continue Michael Howie, Senior News Editor|Tom Place, News Reporter2 minutes ago COMMENTS Labour is facing a tough London by-election battle against an emboldened Green Party after Sir Keir Starmer announced he is quitting his Holborn & St Pancras seat. The former Prime Minister revealed the move on Tuesday, saying he felt it was the “right time” to step down from the Commons and focus on new work on international affairs. The looming contest in his north London constituency presents a major test of Andy Burnham's leadership, with Green leader Zack Polanski poised to challenge Labour. The poll will come just months after the Greens made historic gains in London at May's local elections, seizing control of a string of councils at the expense of Labour. Polling experts say the vote will be a major test of Mr Burnham's leadership since he took over from Sir Keir in July. Politics professor at the University of Manchester Robert Ford wrote on X: "The seat has exceptionally high shares of non-white voters (66 per cent), graduates (51 per cent) and young ppl (47 per cent aged 16-39) – all groups that have swung Lab to Green in recent years. "This could be a humdinger of a by-election." The by-election could give Green Party leader Zack Polanski a path into the Commons PA Wire A further twist could come in the shape of Andrew Feinstein, an independent who came closest to beating Sir Keir in Holborn and St Pancras in the last general election. Hinting at a willingness to do a deal with the Greens to deny Labour victory, he wrote on X: "We must ensure that all progressive forces in Holborn & St. Pancras unite in order to deliver an MP who represents us & will work for us. "An MP who is the antithesis of everything that Starmer stands for." Sir Keir was replaced . He told the Camden New Journal: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government. “I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.
A moment that changed me: I had a panic attack on public transport – and it led me to a horrifying secret
For a decade I lived with a fear so bad that I once tried to climb out of a tube carriage while it was in motion. Then a hypnotherapist told me to ask my parents one very important questionIn 2000, I had been living in London for just over a decade and working at EMI Records for five years. I had moved to Brixton from Surrey – where space and peace were generally abundant – in the late 80s, and I’d noticed I was becoming increasingly anxious and claustrophobic, particularly on public transport.As things got progressively worse, I had a string of distressing panic attacks. Every time, it felt like the world around me was closing in. Then, in July 2003, during my daily commute between Brixton and the South Bank, I had a panic attack so intense I tried to climb out of the tube carriage doors. Thankfully, other passengers held me back until we arrived at the next platform – but I knew the problem was no longer something I could ignore. Continue reading...
James Cleverly: 'We can win big' against Sadiq Khan in London mayor election with classic Tories policies
News | London James Cleverly: 'We can win big' against Sadiq Khan in London mayor election with classic Tories policies Exclusive: ‘Personal attributes are at least as important as party affiliations, that's how you win London,’ the former Home Secretary tells The Standard Allow Exco Player content This content is provided . Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content. Allow and Continue Nicholas Cecil, Chief Reporter @nicholascecil|Rachael Burford, Chief Political Correspondent @RachaelBurford2 minutes ago COMMENTS Sir James Cleverly has laid out battlelines against Labour if he is selected as the Tory candidate for Mayor of London. In an exclusive interview with The Standard, the former Home Secretary, who quit the shadow Cabinet to launch his bid for City Hall, outlined how he would fight the contest as a “classic Conservative”. His stance signals the potential for an election in 2028 fought on traditional party lines rather than a more focused battle over the Centre ground of politics in London. “I'm going to run as an aspirational, entrepreneurial, forward-thinking Conservative candidate that is in tune with the city,” he says. I want people to have choice. I want people to have freedom. I want people to have prosperity, to be able to get on the housing ladder, to be safe on the streets of the city and that means tough on crime. “I want businesses to thrive, so that people have got money in their pocket - not just the wealthy, but everybody. We've got a city where people are being priced out and and that needs to to change.” When will the Holborn & St Pancras by-election take place to replace Keir Starmer? UK expresses ‘full solidarity’ with Germany over attempted Russian drone attack Winter escapes and activities to end the year in style But the Braintree MP faces a number of challenges to beat Sir Sadiq Khan, if he goes for a fourth term, or whoever is Labour’s candidate. While Labour’s grip on London may have weakened, polls show the capital is still a Left-leaning city and to gain the keys to City Hall it appears he would have to win over people who may currently be planning to vote Reform, Labour, Liberal Democrat and possibly even Green. The gap he might have to close could be about ten to 12 percentage points, according to surveys. Could his support for Brexit hamper his mayoral hopes in a city which voted 60% Remain? “Some people want to fight every election on what happened in the past, but I think Londoners instinctively want to look to the future,” he replies.
Iran attacks US bases in Middle East after reports US strike killed five at wedding party
Vessels were visible across the Strait of Hormuz from Oman this week Tehran has launched missile and drone attacks at US targets in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain after American forces resumed strikes against Iran on Tuesday. The Iranian Red Crescent reported five people, including a child, were killed and more than 50 injured when shrapnel from a US missile attack hit a home where a wedding celebration was taking place in Sirik in southern Iran. The US military said it was aware of the reports but that it never targeted civilians. US Central Command (Centcom) said US strikes on Iran followed "recent attempted attacks" (IRGC) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American forces in the region. The IRGC said the US would "regret" the strikes. , it had launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at a US Marine base in Jordan's Aqaba in retaliation for the Sirik attack, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. The Jordanian Armed Forces said it had intercepted 13 ballistic missiles, 10 of which were destroyed, while three fell in remote areas. There were no deaths or injuries as a result of the attack from Iran. The network also said that the country's national security centre had warned residents of the Aqaba and Mafraq governorates of falling debris, adding that the warning had since ended. Separately, the Kuwait army said its air defences were responding to Iranian missile attacks early Wednesday. Several explosions were also reported in Bahrain following attacks by Iran, according to Iranian state media. In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday they had struck US bases with missiles and drones, destroying a maintenance centre, warehouses and equipment, state-run IRNA reported. Donald Trump, when the US strikes were announced on Tuesday afternoon, warned that Iran would be hit again at "a much harder and higher level" if it retaliated. The attack follows the first known US strikes on Iran since late July earlier this week, when forces attacked two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the strait. Tehran retaliated a drone at the UAE. Centcom said US forces had begun striking IRGC targets at ET ( GMT), and had completed the strikes . Iranian state media reported projectiles had hit the areas of Chabahar and Konarak and an airport in Jiroft, and that explosions were heard in Qeshm island and Bandar Abbas. Iranian state media and the Iranian Red Crescent reported that civilian sites on Iran's southern coast had been bombed, with a child among those killed at a wedding ceremony in Sirik county, which lies on the Strait of Hormuz.
The year of Domhnall Gleeson: ‘No one talks about actors’ dedication. But I had a perm for five months!’
He started in the Harry Potter films and has since become ubiquitous, playing every type of character: romcom leads, evil villains, comical idiots. He even starred in a Taylor Swift video. So how does he stay so under the radar?Domhnall Gleeson has got so much new stuff coming up, someone recently joked that this was the “summer of Domhnall”. Now the phrase is all over the internet, and Gleeson is mortified: “The worry is that somebody will say this to me now thinking that I believe it.” He doesn’t know where it came from – possibly his co-star Gayle Rankin on his new movie The Incomer. “It’s certainly not something I’m trying to push … but it would be great if it could be the headline.”He’s in a good mood when we meet at a London hotel on a hot afternoon. You could say he’s good at interviews – charming, funny, garrulous, the perfect chatshow guest. He could just be acting, admittedly, but he seems to be a genuinely good-natured, grounded sort of guy. Continue reading...
Shirley Manson to work with National Theatre of Scotland on futuristic film
National Theatre of Scotland Shirley Manson Cinema Entertainment Events Leisure Music Theatre Edinburgh Shirley Manson makes futuristic film with National Theatre of Scotland Garbage singer Shirley Manson brought her band to Edinburgh Castle esplanade earlier this summer. (Image: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns/) This article is brought to you , and has been written . It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Garbage singer Shirley Manson is working with the National Theatre of Scotland for the first time – as part of a new project bringing stage and screen talent together. Theatre-makers, actors, filmmakers and musicians are collaborating on a series of futuristic films which NTS is creating with BBC Scotland. The six short films are expected to offer "imagined visions" of what a future Scotland could look like. My best and worst moments from the Edinburgh festivals Shirley Manson on her 'profoundly moving' final Garbage gigs I spent August at the Edinburgh Fringe – here's my verdict on 2026 Manson, whose band headlined an open-air concert at Edinburgh Castle this summer, will be narrating a piece examining “the urgency and fear at the heart of the climate crisis”. Artificial intelligence, cultural identity dating, queer love, cloning and politics will also be explored in the six separate Future Acts stories. Announced 20th anniversary programme, the films will be set in locations include a bunker, a bed shop, a beer garden, a coastal path and a caravan. Shirley Manson will be narrating the new film Smoke, which is being created under a partnership between the National Theatre of Scotland and BBC Scotland. (Image: Sally Jubb) They will be shown in cinemas across Scotland in October before being distributed for free on the BBC’s digital channels and the iPlayer from January. Edinburgh-born Manson, who had a starring role as Catherine Weaver in the hit sci-fi drama Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, will be narrating Smoke, which will be written , directed . Shirley Manson performed with Garbage at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow in 2024. (Image: PA) Natali McCleary’s story Un-Static, which will be directed , and will star Maureen Carr and James Dawoud, will see a young man summon a unicorn in search of answers about identity, belonging and purpose, before embarking on “a magical journey between the weight of the past and the promise of the future”. James Ley’s film Bed To The Future will see Martin Quinn and Jay Newton play a gay couple who visit a futuristic bed shop where a simulator promises to reveal the perfect future for their relationship.
Scottish Book Trust gives 30,000 Gruffalo books to children across Scotland
Books Children and young people The Gruffalo Business Education Entertainment Literature People Scotland Thousands of Scottish children to receive free Gruffalo books Scottish Book Trust is distributing 30,000 copies of The Gruffalo. (Image: Supplied) This article is brought to you , and has been written . It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Thousands of children across Scotland are set to receive free books featuring one of the world’s best-loved storybook characters. Scottish Book Trust is distributing 30,000 copies of The Gruffalo and related titles after receiving a major donation from author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler and Macmillan Children’s Books. Scottish Book Trust is distributing 30,000 copies of The Gruffalo. (Image: Supplied) The donation includes the latest title, Gruffalo Granny, alongside The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and the All About the Gruffalo board book. The books will be distributed through Scottish Book Trust’s programmes, with a focus on children and families who may have limited access to books at home. The initiative coincides with the National Year of Reading and aims to encourage more children to discover the enjoyment and benefits of reading. A total of 12,000 books will be included in Bookbug for the Home family kits, which form part of a specialist outreach programme supporting young families. Further copies will be distributed through schools, early years training and programmes aimed at helping reduce child poverty. Another 10,000 copies of Gruffalo Granny will be given out through foodbanks, children’s hospitals and other charities as part of Scottish Book Trust’s annual Christmas Appeal. The donation will allow more children to have a book of their own, with the charity highlighting the importance of access to reading for children’s wellbeing, development and education. The Gruffalo was first published ’s Books in 1999 and has since become a global publishing success. Scottish Book Trust is distributing 30,000 copies of The Gruffalo. (Image: Supplied) The original picture book stories have sold more than 19 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 119 languages and dialects. Scottish Book Trust is a national charity working to increase access to books and support literacy across Scotland. Its programmes include Bookbug, Read Write Count, Reading Schools and Book Week Scotland, with a particular focus on reaching vulnerable and under-represented communities.