blasts

Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US assets in the Gulf region continue for a third day as fears of a prolonged conflict rise.

Loud explosions were heard in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and the Qatari capital ‌of Doha for a third consecutive day of ⁠Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Gulf states in response to ongoing attacks by the United States and ⁠Israel on Iran.

Loud bangs and sirens were also heard in Kuwait early on Monday morning, with a witness quoted by Reuters news agency saying smoke was seen rising from near the US embassy.

Kuwaiti air defences intercepted the majority of the ⁠drones near Rumaithiya and ⁠Salwa neighbourhoods, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported, quoting the director general of civil defence.

Tehran said it ⁠would target US military assets in the region after the ⁠US-Israeli ⁠strikes on Iran continued for the third day on Monday.

Iran has hit a range of civilian and commercial areas across ‌Gulf cities, widening the conflict’s impact on key regional aviation and trade hubs.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said it activated air raid alerts and urged residents to head to the nearest safe place.

It said the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge linking the capital, Manama, to nearby towns was closed and urged “residents to use main roads only when necessary”.

At least one person has been killed in Kuwait, three have been killed in the UAE, and 16 people have been injured in Qatar.

Meanwhile, at least 201 people have been killed in Iran in US-Israeli attacks, with 747 wounded, while at least nine have been killed and 121 wounded in Israel.

Iran ‘attacking American targets’

The US, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning Iranian attacks across the region and affirming their right to self-defence.

Gulf countries “will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and to protect their territories, citizens, and residents, including the option of responding to the aggression”, the statement released after a meeting said.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday stressed that Tehran is not seeking confrontation with its Gulf neighbours, telling Al Jazeera that Tehran has “no problem with the countries on the other side of the Persian Gulf”, referring to the Gulf, which is also known as the Arabian Gulf.

Iran maintains “friendly and good neighbourly relations with all of them”, which it is determined to continue, he added.

“What we are doing is in fact an act of self-defence and retaliation to the American aggression against us,” Araghchi said.

“We are not attacking our brothers in the Persian Gulf, we are not attacking our neighbours, but we are attacking American targets,” he added.

Black Caps openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert had come out swinging after their side batted first.

Allen hit four fours and two sixes for his 17-ball 31 before Marco Jansen (4-40) crucially took three wickets in quick succession to bring South Africa back into the game.

The seamer sent back Seifert for 13 in his first over before dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Allen in the space of four balls in the final over of the powerplay.

Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell rebuilt the innings and New Zealand were scoring at around 10-an-over for more than half the innings.

They were 138-5 when Chapman fell to the last ball of the 14th over, having made 48 from 26 balls, with their opponents able to drag it back from there and restrict New Zealand to 175-7.

It appeared short at the halfway stage and within a few balls of the reply, that was confirmed.

Markram and De Kock got after opening bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson from the off, then gave Jacob Duffy the same treatment when he came on.

Ferguson bowled De Kock with a slower ball but there was no slowing the Proteas as Markram continued his charge, first alongside Rickelton then Dewald Brevis, who both made 21.

Markram was able to watch from the non-striker’s end as David Miller finished the job in style – launching Ferguson into the stands for a monstrous six.

South Africa will official qualify for the Super 8s if the United Arab Emirates fail to beat Afghanistan on Monday.

In Trevor Noah’s final opening monologue at the Grammys, the joke that got the loudest laugh in the room was directed at Nicki Minaj’s MAGA alliance.

After six consecutive years of hosting the Grammys, the comedian is stepping down from the emcee role. Last year, Noah’s monologue was focused on the resilience of Los Angeles and paid tribute to the victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires. This year, he poked fun at attending celebrities and commented on the country’s political climate.

When he addressed the fact that Nicki Minaj was not in attendance, the audience applauded in response. He joked that “she is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues: ‘Actually, Nicki, I have the biggest ass, I have it. Everybody’s saying it, Nicki, I know they say it’s you, but it’s me. WAP, WAP, WAP. Look at it, baby,’” Noah said in his best Trump impression.

Last week, Minaj appeared at a U.S. Treasury event, where she stood on stage with President Trump and said, “I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change.”

While detailing what the night ahead entails, Noah compared this year’s Grammys to the 1999 ceremony.

“The last time Lauryn Hill performed at the Grammys was in 1999,” said Noah. “Back in 1999 the president had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world and Diddy was arrested. Boy, how times have changed.”

Noah also poked fun at Jelly Roll, asking if he was able to unlock fellow face-tatted singer Teddy Swims’ phone. He also mentioned that the arena stuffed with A-listers felt somewhat like billionaire Jeff Bezos’ wedding, “but with way more Black people.”

In addition to it being Noah’s final hosting gig, this year’s ceremony is also the last to air on CBS, its home network since 1973. After tonight, it kicks off a 10-year run with Disney. The Grammys will air on ABC, Hulu and Disney+ beginning in 2027.

TRIPLE Grammy nominee Yungblud has blasted the Brits for being “out of touch” after he was snubbed by his home country’s music awards.

The Doncaster rocker is up for Best Rock Performance category for his powerful rendition of Changes at the late Ozzy Osbourne’s Back To The Beginning concert last summer.

And he will wear the necklace given to him by his Black Sabbath idol, who died last year, at tonight’s ceremony in LA, where he is also up for two other Grammys.

Yet despite accolades Stateside, and two UK No1 albums last year, he says it feels “weird” to be a notable omission at this month’s Brits.

He told me: “I just think with the Brits, there’s something more corporate afoot. I feel like I’ve not kissed the babies in my own country that I should — I’ve done it my way.

“And I think someone’s pissed off at me for that. The beautiful thing about the Grammys is it’s voted for by your peers — musicians and artists.

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“The Brits, you can tell it’s been done in a boardroom by a committee that’s out of touch. That’s a lot of the British music industry.

“But I’m vibing, man — I’m at the Grammys!”

And Yungblud — real name Dominic Harrison — vows to the keep celebrations rock ’n’ roll — having VOMMED from partying so hard during a pre-Grammys night out with Sharon Osbourne and Lewis Capaldi.

He and Lewis “had a mad one”.

Yungblud said: “We had an accidentally brilliant night. I threw up!

“Everyone’s full of s***. Me and Lewis always find each other at a party, to talk about something half-normal.

“There’s so many parties  . . . you end up going for two minutes, and everyone looks shell-shocked.

“So we end up throwing our own. We had such a good night. Sharon came out. Lewis came out.”

Yungblud jokes he is “clearing room in my suitcase” for potential Grammy trophies, though any wins would be bittersweet without Ozzy.

He said: “It’s wild when you love someone. You idolise someone.

“And then you get to know them, then you perform this song to honour them and it gets Grammy-nominated.

“It’s weird to comprehend.”

YUNGBLUD is throwing his own “riot” of a Grammys afterparty at Sunset Strip’s Rainbow Bar and Grill – famed for hosting wild bashes with the likes of Led Zeppelin and Motley Crue.

He says: “It will be a f***ing free-for-all, with pizza and beer, doing bumps of caviar.”

The rocker, who stripped naked on a yacht in Sydney, Australia, while touring last year, insists: “I’m not really sick. I’m usually alright. I’ll probably end up naked – but I won’t be sick.”

STARS DRESSED TO FRILL

SOME of the biggest names in music gathered in LA to let their hair down for some pre-Grammys partying on Friday.

Singer Kesha bloomed in giant flowers at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, while Cara Delevingne showed off new brunette locks at the Warner soiree.

Addison Rae gave a raunchy performance in just her undies at Spotify’s 2026 Best New Artist Party, where she was joined by nominated Brit Olivia Dean in a checked blue floor-length gown.

Meanwhile, Swedish siren Zara Larsson wore hot pink for the Epic Records and Hennessy bash.

I’m glad it was warmer in Cali than it was on this side of the pond . . . 

NATHAN’S EYE ON BALL

NATHAN EVANS hopes to score Scotland’s official World Cup anthem – and will be joining the Tartan Army in the US.

The Wellerman singer and band Saint Phnx are also in discussions about cheering the lads on during training sessions, after Ed Sheeran performed for the England team during the 2024 Euros.

One of the ideas is to rework their track Home with lyrics cheering on the Scots squad, and Nathan would love it to become the official supporters’ tune this summer.

He said: “We’ve got something cooking that hopefully we can pull off. And if we do, it’ll be something massive.”

AITCH’S AMBER NIGHT

RAPPER Aitch wooed a stunning podcaster nearly 15 years his senior – just weeks before stealing the nation’s hearts on I’m A Celebrity.

I’m told the 26-year-old locked lips with Francesca Amber, 40, at the Pride of Britain Awards in London last October, after the pair hit it off at the free bar.

Aitch was seen cracking jokes with the blonde, who believes in “manifesting” the life you want.

An onlooker said: “Aitch is a bit younger, but didn’t lack confidence. They were having a right giggle and, by the end of the evening, they were kissing in front of everyone. They exchanged numbers.”

Single mum-of-three Francesca has told listeners she dreams of going on E4 dating show Celebs Go Dating. I hope this helps manifest it for her . . . 

TEDDY IS READY TO RAYA

VOCAL powerhouse Teddy Swims is looking for love online after sadly splitting from his baby momma.

The Bad Dreams singer broke up with singer Raiche Wright late last year.

But now Teddy – who last year released the final part of his album series I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy – is putting his best foot forward and getting himself out there with a profile on A-list dating app Raya.

The singer – born Jaten Dimsdale – posted a series of snaps showing off his tattoos and dapper style, advertising the fact he is based in Sherman Oaks, California.

He, fittingly, uses his own music to illustrate his profile.

Happy swiping . . . 

IT MUTT BE LOVE FOR DUA

THE City of Love is the only place for Dua Lipa and fiancé Callum Turner as they put on a smoochy display.

The smitten singer and actor were snapped holding hands while walking Callum’s beloved Labrador-Rottweiler mix Golo in Paris.

An onlooker said: “They were completely loved up and kept kissing, it was very sweet.

“Golo the pooch is like their child and travels with them everywhere.”

Speaking several years ago, Callum confessed that his beloved pet helped to keep him grounded.

He said: “I have a dog, yeah. He keeps me very humble.

“You know, picking up his poo every day keeps you humble.”

That’ll certainly do the trick . . . 

OZZY SINGS TO MY KID

I’M A Celebrity star Jack Osbourne has revealed his late dad Ozzy is singing lullabies from beyond the grave.

Jack’s three-year-old daughter Maple has told him that the Black Sabbath rocker visits her when she’s tucked up in bed and sings to her.

Jack said: “My youngest daughter has been having a lot of ‘interactions’, shall we say. She’s three – she keeps saying, ‘He sings to me at night.’ I’m like, ‘That’s awesome, what’s he singing to you?’

“I don’t make a big deal about it. I’m supportive of it, I’m instantly like, they’re kids, they have imaginations and stuff.

“But she’s saying things and I’m like, ‘How do you know that? We haven’t been saying things – where does that come from?’”

Speaking on the Howie Mandel podcast, Jack added: “For her, the more she brings it up, it’s becoming a thing and I think that it’s not just her imagination.”

Hopefully he’s not Paranoid . . . 

RUSH ON FOR PERFECT 10

BOYBAND mania is set to hit London today as December 10 arrive to meet their fans.

I’m told police are on standby amid fears the signing event could turn into a riot, after 6,000 fans of the group, above – assembled by Simon Cowell – put their names down to attend.

An insider said: “There are concerns that over-excited kids will still rock up – even though only a tiny fraction will actually be allowed to get inside.

“Organisers swear they’ve got it all under control and are working closely with the Old Bill, promising a safe and sensible do.”

It’s like the One Direction days all over again . . .