The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian dictator who ruled the country since 1989, was found amid the debris of his demolished compound following Israeli and US air strikes.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in the attacks (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Air strikes destroyed his Tehran compound, killing Iran’s dreaded Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 30 bomb blasts.
Joint US-Israeli strikes would wipe out the Iranian regime’s top brass and spread chaos throughout the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there were “many indications” of Khamenei’s assassination before any official confirmation.
The bombing destroyed several buildings in the compound where the Supreme Leader and other key regime representatives were housed. Reports indicate that the debris revealed Khamenei, who has ruled Iran with an iron fist since 1989.
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Explosions reported across Tehran (Image: AP)
Read more: Khamenei’s death update: Iran’s leader has been assassinated and the country enters 40 days of mourning. Read more: Dubai Airport Live: Scary scenes after ‘attack’; people running to save their lives
Khamenei’s daughter, grandson, daughter and son-in-law were also killed in the bombing. State media confirmed the deaths earlier today and it is understood they lived together in the compound.
The first wave of Operation Epic Fury targeted sites associated with the Iranian regime’s security apparatus and focused on locations they claimed posed a direct threat to the US and its allies. The targets were buildings associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as well as Iranian air and naval sites.
The purpose of the operation was to “decapitate” the country’s leadership. According to the US administration, there were no American casualties during the first phase of the operation.
Khamenei ruled Iran since 1989 (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
It was one of several cities targeted, they also included Bushehr, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Isfahan. Netanyahu, who has long campaigned for military intervention against Iran and for decades warned of the imminent nuclear threat from the country, said in a statement, “Challenging days lie ahead for us.
“Every military action involves risk. But the risk of inaction is enormous, because if we remain inactive, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with thousands of ballistic missiles, and an Iran that will work to destroy us and will be immune to our countermeasures.
“As people who desire life, we have no choice but to join this campaign. However, this time, we are doing it with the enormous combined power of the State of Israel and the United States.”
The attacks targeted key targets linked to the Iranian regime. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Iran retaliated after the barrage on Saturday morning by attacking nearby countries that are linked to or near US bases. Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly hit countries such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Israel.
Iranian shells appeared to hit luxury buildings and shopping areas in Dubai, a city that is home to hundreds of thousands of Britons. Bahrain also witnessed a drone attacking a residential tower.
In early 2025, as a measles outbreak begins in West Texas, Katherine Wells knows she needs money.
Although the outbreak was centred in Gaines County, a community an hour away, Wells, who heads Lubbock’s public health department, needed more staff to respond to the multiple exposures at local pediatricians’ offices, urgent care centres, restaurants and daycares.
“We really relied on employees who weren’t hourly, because I could make them work 80 hours if I had to, which is horrible,” Wells said. In emergency planning meetings with the Texas Department of State Health Services, she asked for nearly $100,000 to hire temporary workers to help her exhausted staff.
“I was like, can I have money so that if I need a few hours of work from a retired school nurse that we’ve worked with before, I can pay them?” Wells said.
To prevent measles outbreaks from spiralling out of control, public health workers must spring into action, contacting everyone who may have been exposed to the virus as quickly as possible, determining their vaccination status or health risk, and then trying to convince them to get vaccinated or quarantine at home for three weeks.
Wells assigned at least half of its staff to work on the outbreak response in addition to their other daily duties.
What is the real cost of a measles outbreak?
Wells could not estimate how much it cost the Lubbock Health Department to contain the virus before the outbreak, which began in a mostly unvaccinated Mennonite community in late January last year and ended months later.
An NBC News/Stanford University investigation found that since 2019, more than two-thirds of counties and jurisdictions have reported significant declines in vaccination rates. In the state that tracks MMR rates, more than half of the counties—67%—are below the level needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
A shocking new report calculates the price tag for the US if rates continue to fall.
If measles vaccination rates continue to decline by just 1% annually for the next five years, the cost to the US could reach $1.5 billion per year, according to a new report. Yale School of Public Health.
Armed with existing county-level vaccination coverage data, Yale researchers used mathematical models to calculate the projected increase in measles cases, hospitalisations, and their associated medical and social costs.
Based on their estimates, $41.1 million would be needed each year to cover patients’ basic medical needs, including health insurance, and $947 million would be required for public health response efforts such as surveillance and contact tracing. The report found that lost productivity in the workforce could reach $510.4 million each year.
Dr Dave Chokshi, president of the Common Health Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health group that partnered with Yale on the project, said measles outbreaks span all parts of the “health ecosystem”.
Chokshi, who was previously the health commissioner of New York City, said, “It is important for us to confront the humanitarian consequences of the measles outbreak.” “But we also wanted to make clear that this also has economic consequences, including lost work for employees, public health departments that are overburdened to respond, and health care systems straining to shoulder the burden of emergency response.”
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have generally stopped quickly. But declining vaccination rates have increased the risk of a large-scale outbreak and now threaten the country’s measles elimination status.
In late January 2025, as President Donald Trump was taking his second oath of office, measles cases began to spread in West Texas. Under his presidency, following the guidance of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the administration has not strongly endorsed vaccines as a way to end such outbreaks.
Instead, messaging on childhood vaccination focuses on “personal choice” rather than a public health necessity.
In the first two months of 2026, there are More than 1,000 confirmed cases of measles Nearly half of the total of 2,281 in 2025. 94 per cent of those infected were not vaccinated.
According to a recent analysis from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the initial financial loss to a community from a measles outbreak is approximately $244,480. Brian Patenaude, study author and associate professor of health economics, said local and state public health departments can expect this money to pay for resources like vaccine clinics and staffing until the outbreak is over.
“We know what elements are required in dealing with measles outbreaks and how many cases become severe and demand care because they have to be really well traced and documented,” Patenaude said.
The report, which was posted in October on medRxiv, a site that releases research before it undergoes peer review, has tracked measles outbreaks in 18 states since 2004 (not including 2025 cases in Texas, Utah, and Arizona).
Each additional case of measles incurs an average cost of $16,000 per case for contact tracing, medical expenses, and quarantine monitoring, in addition to the upfront costs. The Johns Hopkins report estimates that the cost of five cases of measles could reach $324,480, while an outbreak of 50 could cost $1 million.
In 2019, an outbreak of 72 measles cases occurred in Clark County, Washington. Health officials spent hours making sure people followed the quarantine.
“We’ve brought in personnel from the state, the CDC, and even other jurisdictions like Idaho to help with case investigation and contact tracing,” said Dr Alan Melnick, Clark County public health director. The team contacted the quarantined people daily. Ultimately, isolation resulted in 87% of subsequent measles cases, according to Melnick.
An assessment found that productivity losses from a relatively small outbreak in Clark County exceeded one million dollars.
The measles vaccine is free in America
Melnick stated that the public should be aware of the value of vaccines, as they not only save lives but also significantly reduce costs.
As a former California legislator, paediatrician Dr Richard Pan helped strengthen the state’s vaccine requirements after a measles outbreak linked to Disneyland in 2015. “People need to understand that these outbreaks come at a heavy cost,” he said. “By the way, American families are bearing that cost.”
South Carolina is struggling to contain the nation’s largest single outbreak in more than a generation. Spartanburg County has been on high alert since the fall, with at least 1,000 cases and possible exposures at fast food restaurants, stores, medical clinics, and government offices.
A Spartanburg, SC, mobile health unit. Patrick Martin/NBC News
The South Carolina Department of Public Health will not disclose how much the contact tracing, mobile vaccine clinics and increased staffing are costing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a request to redirect several million dollars previously allocated for the emergency, a department official said.
“Additionally, South Carolina requested and received $100k from the CDC available for vaccine-preventable disease reactions,” Louis Eubanks, deputy incident commander for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, said in a statement to NBC News. “South Carolina and CDC continue to discuss additional funding needs and resource support.”
A senior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official said the CDC sent $8.5 million to seven areas of the country with measles outbreaks last year but declined to specify where or provide additional details.
“Funds were awarded based on state or local health agency requests and the availability of funds at CDC,” the person said.
As the South Carolina outbreak spreads into North Carolina, Dr David Wohl, a global health and infectious disease expert at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has sought to stem the surge beyond the 23 already confirmed cases.
“There are a lot of people in my healthcare system working on this,” Wohl said. “I can’t tell you how many calls, how many hours there are, how stressed people are.”
intangible, indirect costs
The potential economic burden of a measles outbreak can be easily calculated. It is impossible to measure the personal cost of keeping children unprotected from the world’s most contagious virus.
Hundreds of people infected with measles in the past year — more than 1 in 10, according to the CDC — have been hospitalised with dangerously high fevers, pneumonia, trouble breathing and dehydration.
Mothers and fathers have spent countless hazy hours at their child’s bedside. Most recovered. Some people survive the long-term consequences of encephalitis—an inflammation of the brain that can lead to seizures, blindness, deafness, and learning disabilities.
Measles may remain hidden in the body for up to a decade before reemerging by attacking the brain and nervous system. A condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is almost always fatal.
Two little girls in Texas, ages 6 and 8, died from measles within weeks of diagnosis.
Chokshi said while the economic consequences of the measles outbreak are real, the human impact cannot be ignored. “Behind each number is a child battling a devastating disease, or a family facing an unexpected hospitalisation, and, in the worst circumstances, a death or long-term outcome from a preventable disease.”
At least three people were killed and 14 others were injured Sunday morning after a man opened fire at a bar in Austin, Texas, police said.
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, officers responded to a report of a male suspect shooting at the city’s Beer Garden in Buford. As officers arrived, the suspect fired shots at them, and they returned fire, killing the suspect, Davis said.
Buford is in the downtown area, just 2 miles from the heart of the University of Texas at Austin campus and less than a mile from the Texas Capitol Building.
confirmed that the shooting claimed the lives of three people.
The head of the county’s emergency medical services, Robert Luckritz, confirmed that the shooting claimed the lives of three people. Another 14 people were taken to hospitals, three of whom were in critical condition, he said.
Law enforcement patrols an intersection near a Buford bar on Sunday. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
According to Luckritz, paramedics were already deployed to the entertainment district at the time of the shooting.
“We received the call at 1:59 a.m. and within 57 seconds the first paramedics and officers were actively treating patients,” he said.
Police did not provide additional details, citing the preliminary nature of the investigation and said an update would be provided later Sunday.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson credited both police and paramedics for responding quickly after the first reports of shootings were received.
“I want to say … I’m very grateful for the speed with which our public safety officers responded to this,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s any question who saved lives.”
Obama administration, which pushed through the 2015 nuclear deal
Ben Rhodes, a key figure in the Obama administration who pushed through the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, was criticised on social media on Saturday after criticising US military strikes on Iran.
Immediately after the joint US and Israeli attack, Rhodes was critical of the administration on social media, saying that Trump and Netanyahu were “completely uncaring about the human beings – everywhere – who will suffer.”
“Trump’s second term has been the worst,” Rhodes said in another. X post.
Rhodes was immediately ridiculed by many conservatives on social media, who pointed to the Obama-era Iran deal as the catalyst that led to the situation escalating to this point and placed blame on the Obama administration for not taking the threat from Iran seriously.
Former President Barack Obama. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
“Yes, we were much better off with a president who drew boundaries and failed to enforce them,” said Mark Thiessen, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Fox News contributor. Posted on X. “Team Obama will probably want to sit this one out.”
“Oh look, the guy who literally created this mess in the first place has spoken out,” said Republican digital operative Alec Sears. Posted on X.
Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell said, “You were part of the team that gave billions of dollars to the Iranian regime – you helped finance this terror on mankind. ” Posted on X. “Once again, President Trump is cleaning up your mess.”
George Conway, a long-time critic of Trump, has called America a ‘terrorist country’ after the Iran attack.
“You had eight years to do something about this issue,” Red State author Bonchi posted on X. “Instead, you became a foreign operative and were doing everything possible to preserve the Islamist regime.”
“You made these circumstances right.”
“The Obama team cries out for mullahs,” said Tim Murtaugh, former Trump campaign communications director. Posted on X.
Ben Rhodes, the former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications for President Barack Obama, appears on “Meet the Press.” (Getty Images)
“Ben Rhodes is responsible for how America got to this point,” said Middle East and geopolitical analyst Matthew Brodsky. Posted on X. “He is a spineless agent of influence for the regime in Iran. It took years to undo the damage done to his foreign policy.”
News broke on Saturday afternoon that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader who ruled the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, was killed in an attack against Iran.
Israeli leaders confirmed that Khamenei’s compound and office were reduced to rubble early Saturday following a targeted attack in downtown Tehran.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDD’s Iran programme, told Fox News Digital, “Khamenei was the longest-serving dictator of the contemporary Middle East. He didn’t become that way because he was a gambler. Khamenei was an ideologue but also a man who acted ruthlessly to preserve and protect his ideology, often taking two steps forward and one step back.”
Fox News Digital’s Efrat Lacher contributed to this report.
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Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips at AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says Australia was not told in advance about the bombing of Iran but won’t say whether intelligence facilities here were used.
“We weren’t told in advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,” she said.
“We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role in the international community.”
Wong says Australia stands with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.
Ultimately, Iran’s future must be determined by its people.
“Australian involvement – obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.”
She says Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.
Penny Wong is the Australian foreign minister. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Activists say trans woman with Palestinian flag was ‘violently restrained’ by police at Mardi Gras
The activist group Pride in Protest says a trans woman holding a Palestinian flag was “violently restrained” by police at the Sydney Mardi Gras on Saturday night.
The NSW Police released a statement on Sunday commending the crowd’s behaviour. It said there were no charges laid, but four people—who were part of a group that had been prevented from marching— were arrested for a breach of the peace.
Social media posts criticising Jewish group Dayenu had blocked Pride in Protest from participating in the parade.
“[The people who were arrested] were removed from the parade ground and were issued with move-on directions, which they complied with. No charges were laid as a result of the incident,” a police statement said.
Pride in Protest said police were seen “assaulting a trans woman attendee of the parade, yanking a Palestinian flag out of her hand”. ”.
“As [a] float entered the road to prepare to march, NSW police officers with the riot squad grabbed a Palestine flag away from a trans woman participant and violently restrained her, with four officers grabbing her,” a statement issued by the group said.
”The woman was heard crying out ‘help me’ and other participants called for the police to let her go.”
Travel advice updated for Middle Eastern countries: Wong
Penny Wong has confirmed travel advice has been updated for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Australia maintains engagement with international partners and consular staff worldwide.
“We have activated our crisis center to provide consular support to Australians in the region, and this morning we are opening our registration portals in Iran and Israel.”
Wong dodges question on legal basis for US-Israel attacks on Iran
Penny Wong has been asked about the legal basis for the bombings under international law.
I will leave it to the United States and Israel to speak about the legal basis for the attacks.
“What I would say to Australians is that Iran has been a destabilising force in the region for decades. It has orchestrated attacks on Australia and I think we all understand this issue did not start yesterday.”
Asked about assistance for Australians seeking to come home, Wong says the government does anticipate a difficult period ahead but won’t be drawn on repatriation flights.
“In this situation, the airspace is closed.”
Australia did not know about strikes in advance: Won
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says Australia was not notified beforehand about the bombing of Iran and declined to confirm whether intelligence facilities here were used.
“We weren’t told in advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,” she said.
“We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role in the international community.”
Wong says Australia stands with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.
Ultimately, Iran’s future must be determined by its people.
“Australian involvement – obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.”
She says Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.
Penny Wong is the Australian foreign minister. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Shadow treasurer says ‘aim should be that Iranian people take control of their destiny’
Tim Wilson told ABC TV the international rules-based order still matters, despite the bombing of Iran.
“The aim should be that the Iranian people take control of their destiny; they decide their future and that is not with mullahs in charge, as far as I’m concerned, and clearly not as far as the Iranian people are concerned.
“But it’s their decision about how they want to run their lives and their country, rather than having something imposed on them by the Islamic regime that has caused terror and led to the punishment and subjugation of women and homosexuals and exported terrorism worldwide.”
Wilson said he expects the US to continue to be a critical leader in the world.
Opposition supports Iran bombing
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, says the Coalition supports the US and Israeli-led bombing of Iran.
He told ABC TV the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei means “the world is now a safer place.”
“The reality is this situation’s been building for some time. Iran has exported terrorism around the world, including into Australia,” he said.
“A co-ordinated attack to address what has clearly been an ongoing build-up of their nuclear programme is something that is very good for international peace and security.
“We naturally hope to contain the situation and closely monitor it.”
Tony Burke, the home affairs minister, declined to confirm whether Australia received information about the overnight bombing of Iran by the US and Israel.
The Albanese government has offered support to the US president, Donald Trump, and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
But Burke won’t say if there was a warning from Australia’s closest ally and defence partner.
“The United States and Israel have taken the actions,” he told Channel 7.
“I won’t go into what conversations happen back and forth. But those two governments are the ones taking the action.”
He said Australia’s role was to look after Australian citizens in the region, including diplomats.
“You’ve got temporary closures of several airports at the moment, but we expect that commercial options will still be available, and people should take them.
“Overnight, for Australians who are in Lebanon, in Israel, or in Qatar, we have upgraded our travel advice to ‘do not travel’. That means if you are already there, it is safe to leave.
“Get out. Don’t delay.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Photograph: Dominic Giannini/EPA
‘Leadership is needed, not sycophantic capitulation.’: Labor anti-war group voices disappointment in party
ALP members who oppose war are disappointed Australia has offered support to the US and Israeli bombing of Iran overnight.
The patron of the Labour Against War group, former senator Doug Cameron, said the government had made the wrong decision in supporting Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Albanese’s backing of Israeli and US attacks on Iran shows that we are completely devoid of acting independently from Trump and Netanyahu,” Cameron said.
“There was a time when Labour pursued peace, not war. That time is long gone. Leadership is needed, not sycophantic capitulation to militarism.
Australia supports Trump’s bombing: Labor
Labour frontbencher Andrew Charlton says the Australian government hopes the bombing in Iran achieves peace and stability in the region.
Speaking on Sky, the cabinet secretary said Australia has a very small presence in the region, with officials supporting diplomats and their families so they can get home safely.
“Australia stands with the people of Iran,” he said.
“They have faced brutal repression, and Iran has been a destabilising force in the region. They’ve been pursuing nuclear weapons in contravention of international law.”
Charlton said Australians should pay attention to the Smartraveller website if they are in the region or contemplating travel to risky locations.
‘Iran is an enemy of Australia’: Andrew Has tie
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie says he supports the bombing in Iran by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to Sky News, Hastie said:
Iran is an enemy of Australia. They’ve conducted terrorism on our shores, and they’re also a bad geopolitical actor.
They’ve been seeking a nuclear weapon for some time, and they’ve just murdered up to 25,000 of their own citizens over the last few months.
Hastie, an SAS veteran, says he’s not surprised Trump has taken the opportunity to strike Iran, likening the moves to actions in Venezuela and Nigeria.
Hastie says Trump is “setting the conditions for regime change in Iran”:
There is a lot of risk and as a veteran of the so-called forever War, I’m very suspicious of regime change by force.
Greens label US-Israel war on Iran a ‘new illegal bombing campaign’
Greens leader Larissa Waters has warned the Albanese government against supporting the growing war in Iran, calling it “a new illegal bombing campaign” by US president Donald Trump and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.
Waters said there is a strong likelihood the bombing has direct or indirect assistance from military facilities at Pine Gap and North West Cape:
Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attacks last night have unleashed chaos across the Middle East.
This war will not bring safety to the brave Iranian people who are fighting for liberation from the brutal regime. Innocent people have already been massacred, including at least 60 children in southern Iran killed by US and Israeli strikes on an elementary school last night. Our hearts ache for their families. This war will see homes and cities razed to the ground and countless innocent lives lost.
Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Waters said the Greens condemned the “illegal, abhorrent and unilateral attacks”:
Australians are unwilling to participate in another US-Israeli war.
Australia’s support of Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attack last night was disgraceful.
We cannot bomb our way to peace.”
NSW unveils sweeping foster care reform
The NSW Labour government has announced major changes to the state’s out-of-home-care system.
The Minns government this morning announced it will implement tougher accountability measures for non-government providers in the sector that cares for more than 13,000 vulnerable children.
The government will also spearhead foster care recruitment and reduce the outsourcing of child protection services.
The minister for families and communities, Kate Washington, said:
Despite significant and rising taxpayer investments, rates of restoration, guardianship, and adoption continue to fall. It’s clear the current programme has failed to deliver; that’s why we are undertaking significant reform.
Accountability is non-negotiable when it comes to children’s safety and public trust. We are building a new foster care system where kids come first – every child deserves to grow up with love, safety and stability.
Welcome
Good morning. Welcome to our live news blog this Sunday.
The federal government is moving quickly to respond to events in Iran.
Last night, Australia declared its support for US action to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent threats to international peace and security.
Anthony Albanese said in a statement, “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.”
The prime minister said Iran’s ruling regime had been a “destabilising force” for decades through its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, support for armed proxies, and “brutal acts of violence and intimidation”.
The national security committee of cabinet is due to meet about 8.30am this morning, and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will speak from Adelaide about 9.45am.
The government has criticised the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters, which has left thousands of Iranian civilians dead, and highlighted Iranian-led foreign attacks in Australia.
Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024, carried out to target the Jewish community. Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador to Australia last year.
Shia LaBeouf is citing his fear of “big gay people” as the reason for his arrest in New Orleans last week.
In one interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan released on Saturday, the 39-year-old actor shared what led up to his arrest amid the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations.
“When I’m standing alone and there are three gays next to me touching my feet, I get scared,” he said. “I’m sorry. If he’s homophobic, so am I. Yes.”
LaBeouf said, “I’ll be honest with you, older gay people are scary to me.”
A representative for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The actor, best known for his starring roles in “Transformers” and Disney Channel’s “Even Stevens”, was arrested in New Orleans last week and accused of fatally shooting two people outside a Royal Street business during the festival, according to police.
“LaBeouf then allegedly attacked another man –
punching him in the nose,” police said in a statement last week. “LaBeouf was again restrained until police arrived.”
It is unclear what exactly caused the incident.
But in the interview with Callaghan, the actor suggested that he had had a fight with someone gay or that he was frustrated at the presence of gay people around him.
He said, “I’m fine with gays – though, stay gay out there.” “Don’t be gay in my lap.”
He said, “That’s why. I was drunk and it’s Mardi Gras. So everything I’m saying is bullshit.”
LaBeouf was arrested upon being released from the hospital that day for treating “undisclosed injuries.” According to officials, he was charged with simple batteries twice.
Last week was not his first run-in with the law, nor were his latest comments the first bigoted remarks he has made.
LaBeouf was arrested in 2017 on suspicion of public intoxication, The Associated Press reported. According to the AP report, LaBeouf made racist remarks at police upon his arrest. The actor later apologised, calling his addiction a struggle and the public intoxication allegations were dropped.
An Interior Ministry official says that 66 missiles were fired at Qatar and there are reports of 114 pieces of shrapnel falling.
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Doha, Qatar – Eight people were injured in Qatar after missile shrapnel fell on several locations across the country, officials said, with Qatar saying the volley of Iranian missiles had been intercepted by its air defence forces.
Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa al-Mufta, head of public relations at Qatar’s interior ministry, said in a televised address on Saturday that 66 missiles were fired at Qatar and authorities received 114 reports of shrapnel falling across the country. He said that the condition of one of the injured is critical.
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The Interior Ministry issued an emergency warning urging the public to stay away from military sites and stay indoors, warning people to avoid approaching or handling any unidentified debris and to report it to authorities.
All missiles before they reached the country’s territory,
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said it “successfully prevented” a second wave of attacks targeting several areas. The Defence Ministry stated that they intercepted all missiles before they reached the country’s territory, urging residents to maintain calm and adhere to official instructions.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, calling it “reckless and irresponsible,” “a gross violation” of sovereignty, and “a threat to regional stability.”
Ibrahim Sultan al-Hashemi, head of public relations at the Foreign Ministry, said the attack was inconsistent with the principles of “good neighbourliness” and that Qatar reserved the right to respond “in accordance with international law.”
The ministry also called for an immediate end to tensions and a return to talks.
The missile attacks came as Iran launched attacks across the Gulf following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, leading to increased air-defence interdiction in several countries. Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said they intercepted Iranian missiles, while Jordan also intercepted aircraft, news agency Reuters reported.
This incident is not the first Iranian attack on Qatar. In June 2025, during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, a major facility hosting US forces near Doha.
Saturday’s bombing followed attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, raising fears of a wider conflict and increasing pressure on Gulf countries that host US forces and critical energy infrastructure.
The development raised concerns across the Gulf, where Ramadan routines were disrupted by airstrike alerts, interceptions and warnings about unidentified fragments, Leaders urged restraint amid fears of a wider confrontation.
The UAE announces petrol and diesel prices for March 2026: What drivers in the emirate need to know: The UAE Fuel Price Committee has unveiled its official fuel price update for March 2026, providing motorists with a more precise understanding of their petrol and diesel expenses this month. The monthly revision, which takes effect from March 1, 2026, reflects changes in global crude markets and aligns local retail prices with international trends as part of a pricing arrangement introduced when the UAE deregulated fuel prices in 2015.
UAE’s new fuel prices for March 2026 amid the Iran-US-Israel conflict
Petrol and diesel prices in UAE for March are as follows:
Super 98 Petrol: Dh 2.59 per liter (up from Dh 2.45 in February)
Special 95 Petrol: Dh 2.48 per liter (up from Dh 2.33)
E-Plus 91 Petrol: Dh 2.40 per liter (up from Dh 2.26)
diesel: Dh 2.72 per liter (up from Dh 2.5) 2)
The increases end a brief period of cheap fuel in early 2026, when prices fell in January and February after earlier declines. The Committee reviews fuel prices monthly to reflect average international oil prices and the costs associated with refining and distribution.
Why fuel prices rose in the UAE: Context of global oil market amid Iran and US-Israel conflict
The rise in local pump prices for March comes amid broader global oil price pressure, partly driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly recent increases involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which have pushed crude oil prices higher in recent weeks. These tensions could increase geopolitical risk premiums in oil markets, meaning traders face additional costs due to fears of supply disruptions, particularly around strategically important chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global crude passes.
UAE fuel prices March 2026: Petrol and diesel prices hiked amid global oil pressure
Additionally, crude oil benchmarks such as Brent are running at higher levels than in the months leading up to February fuel prices, prompting the committee to make minor adjustments at the pump.
How the UAE’s monthly fuel pricing system works
Since 2015, the UAE has used a market-linked fuel pricing mechanism. Under this system:
Oil prices are averaged over the month preceding the pricing decision.
The government adds refinery, distribution and retail costs to determine local prices.
These adjusted rates are announced at the end of each month and are applicable for the following month.
This approach ensures that UAE gasoline and diesel prices reflect real global supply and demand dynamics rather than being fixed – a policy that informs consumers and aligns local fuel costs with international benchmarks.
What does this mean for drivers in the UAE
Slightly higher fuel costs mean that everyday motorists and commercial transporters in the UAE will pay more to fill up a typical compact car than they did last month. The cost of diesel-powered vehicles, widely used in logistics and trucking, will also increase marginally. Monthly budget planning may need to accommodate these changes, especially if crude oil prices remain high. While the March increase is not a dramatic jump, it highlights how closely UAE fuel prices are linked to global oil market movements, which in turn react to factors such as geopolitical events, seasonal demand and production decisions by major oil-producing countries.
Fuel prices soar in UAE: Geopolitical tensions push up costs for drivers
Fuel prices in the UAE are expected to continue to reflect global crude oil dynamics in the coming months. If geopolitical tensions ease or global oil supplies increase, pump prices could stabilise or even decline in late 2026. Conversely, further pressure on crude oil could push fuel rates higher in April and beyond. For now, drivers in the emirate should be prepared for a small increase at the pump but should also keep an eye on international news and oil markets, as these will shape future pricing decisions. UAE fuel prices rise in March 2026, with petrol and diesel rising across all major grades. Super 98 is Dh 2.59/litre, Special 95 is Dh 2.48, and diesel is Dh 2.72. Price changes reflect global oil market trends, which are influenced by geopolitical risks and fluctuations in crude oil costs. Fuel pricing in the UAE is reviewed monthly under a market-linked system introduced in 2015.
Are you seeking a breakfast that is not only nutritious but also indulgent? These Whole-Grain Cinnamon-Apple Pancakes offer the perfect balance of hearty whole grains, sweet apples, and warm cinnamon in each fluffy bite. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weekend morning or meal-prepping breakfasts for the week, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Whole-Grain Pancakes
Traditional pancakes often leave you hungry an hour later, but these whole-grain cinnamon-apple pancakes keep you satisfied thanks to their fibre-rich ingredients. The combination of whole wheat flour, fresh apples, and heart-healthy oats provides sustained energy without sacrificing taste.
Here’s everything required to make approximately 16 delicious pancakes:
For the Pancakes:
2 cups whole wheat flour (white whole wheat works beautifully)
1 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
1¼ cups milk (dairy or plant-based both work)
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium apples (one shredded, one diced)
For the Cinnamon-Apple Topping:
1½ apples, diced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Topping
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced apples and ¼ cup water, then cover and cook until the apples are tender—about 10–12 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, then set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, oats, baking powder, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 5: Combine and Add Apples
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—a few lumps are perfectly fine. Gently fold in the shredded and diced apples.
Step 6: Cook the Pancakes
Heat a large non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray. For each pancake, pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the hot surface.
Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set—about 3–4 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for another 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Stack the pancakes on plates, top generously with the warm cinnamon-apple mixture, and drizzle with additional maple syrup if desired.
(Image Suggestion: A close-up shot of syrup being drizzled over a stack of pancakes with apple pieces visible. Caption: The finishing touch—warm maple syrup over fresh apple pancakes.)
Nutrition Information
Based on a serving of three pancakes with an apple topping:
Nutrient
Amount
% Daily Value
Calories
298
–
Total Fat
8g
10%
Saturated Fat
4g
20%
Cholesterol
63 mg
21%
Sodium
459 mg
20%
Total Carbohydrates
48 g
17%
Dietary Fiber
5g
18%
Protein
12 g
24%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.*
These Whole-Grain Cinnamon-Apple Pancakes are also an excellent source of manganese (75% DV), selenium (45% DV), and phosphorus (45% DV).
Tips for Perfect Pancakes Every Time
1. Don’t Overmix the Batter
Overmixing develops gluten, which leads to tough, rubbery pancakes. Stir until the flour is just moistened—lumps are your friend.
2. Let the Batter Rest
Allow the batter to rest for 5–10 minutes while your griddle heats up. This gives the whole grains time to absorb liquid and results in fluffier pancakes.
3. Test Your Griddle Temperature
Sprinkle a few drops of water on the griddle—if they dance and evaporate quickly, it’s ready. Too hot, and your pancakes will burn before cooking through.
4. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Cold ingredients can make the batter seize up. Take your egg and milk out of the refrigerator 15–20 minutes before starting.
5. Adjust Consistency If Needed
Whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid than white flour. If your batter seems too thick, add an extra ¼ cup of milk.
Variations and Substitutions
Make It Dairy-Free
Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk, and substitute the butter with coconut oil or a neutral vegetable oil.
Make It Egg-Free
Replace the egg with a “flax egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
Change Up the Fruit
While apples and cinnamon are a classic combination, you can substitute with:
Small fresh blueberries
Diced peaches or pears
Sliced bananas
Add Extra Nutrition
Sprinkle in ¼ cup ground flaxseed or chia seeds for added omega-3 fatty acids and fibre.
Try a Dutch Baby Variation
For a dramatic presentation, prepare this batter in a cast-iron skillet and bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes. Top with the cinnamon-apple mixture and serve family-style.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezer
These pancakes freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1 hour). Transfer to a freezer bag with parchment between each pancake. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave: 30–60 seconds for refrigerated pancakes, 1–2 minutes for frozen
Toaster: Works great for frozen pancakes—just pop them in until warm and slightly crisp
Oven: Arrange on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat?
Absolutely! Substitute the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour 1:1. Keep in mind that the fibre content will be lower, and the texture will be slightly lighter.
Can I use diced apples instead of shredded?
Yes, but for best results, dice the apples tiny. If you prefer larger apple pieces, consider quickly sautéing them first so they soften fully during the short pancake cooking time.
How do I know when to flip the pancakes?
Watch for bubbles forming across the surface and edges that look slightly dry and set. That’s your signal to flip.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
For best results, cook the pancakes immediately. The leavening agents begin working as soon as they contact liquid, so pre-made batter may not rise as well. However, you can mix the dry ingredients in advance and add wet ingredients when ready to cook.
What are the best apples for this recipe?
Tart apples like Granny Smith provide a pleasant contrast to the sweet batter. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn also work beautifully. Really, any apple you enjoy eating will work well here.
Conclusion
These Whole-Grain Cinnamon-Apple Pancakes prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour. With hearty whole grains, fresh fruit, and warming spices, this recipe transforms an ordinary breakfast into something truly special. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or meal-prepping for busy mornings, these pancakes deliver nutrition and satisfaction in every bite.
The combination of tender apple pieces, aromatic cinnamon, and fluffy whole-grain batter creates a breakfast experience that feels indulgent but aligns with your wellness goals. Top with the optional sautéed apples and a drizzle of maple syrup for the ultimate morning treat.
Give this recipe a try this weekend—your family (and your taste buds) will thank you!